NATHAN HINDMARSH – A LOOK BACK

Few players can demand the respect of all league fans, across all 16 teams and above all rivalries. If you are a New South Welshman, you had to respect Darren Lockyer above your hatred for Queensland. If you hate Manly... you had to respect Bob Fulton. No matter what colours you wear, when it comes to Nathan Hindmarsh, every league fan has marvelled at his resilience, his passion, his talent and his unbelievable awareness on the football field. Hindmarsh was always there as the first and last line of defence for Club, State and Country.

For Parramatta fans, this Sunday night represents a chance to simply say 'thank you' and cheer for the 330^th time for the one they call Hindy. A twinge of sadness and regret will overcome them as well. Sadness that they will miss him and regret that he didn’t get the praise and reward he deserved.

Mum used to say, "If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets in the sea", but I can’t help but wish he had a premiership and I can’t help but wish the NSW origin selectors did the right thing by him. Hindmarsh could have and probably should have held every NSW record for appearances as player and possibly Captain by now. Alas, the revolving door selection policy that existed between 2006 and 2010 may have robbed Hindy of his place in Origin folklore.

Still, we won't remember this as much as we will remember a magnificent career filled with all the highs and lows that Rugby League brings. Lifelong Parra fan @ritcho33 helps us take a look back:

- The Hindy that no one remembers – 2001. He scored a number of tries that covered bursts of over 50 metres. Two such memorable efforts were the 80 metre “sprint” vs. the 'Dogs in an epic battle at the Showground (this round 23 fixture was sold out mid-week!) and the 60 metre classic vs. the Dragons where he shrugged off the great Amos Roberts and out raced Trent Barrett and Mary McGregor to the try line.

- The Hindy that Brian Smith created – 2004-5. After vowing to add more size to the pack and recruiting the likes of Paul Stringer and Corey Pearson, the Eels forwards became less mobile. This meant Hindy was making 55 tackles a game to cover for the rest of the pack. He went from being a ball running second rower to a workhorse the likes of which the NRL had never seen. For good or bad - Brian Smith ended Hindy 1.0.

- The Hindy that wasn’t there – 2005. Eels were playing Brisbane in a 'winner takes the minor premiership' Friday night blockbuster at Parra Stadium. Early on in the game Hindy stumbles to take a John Morris hospital pass. He gets hit awkwardly. His knee buckles. He gets carried off. His season over. Parramatta win the game and minor premiership. They lose the war. Daniel Wagon takes Hindy’s spot and after beating 8th place Manly - disaster in the preliminary final against the Cowboys. Eels lose 29-0.

- The Hindy that had his eyes on the prize – 2009. Sydney’s Grand Final. The famous Eels v Dogs prelim at ANZ Stadium. 75,000 people. Hindmarsh tackles Michael Ennis to save a line-break and almost certain 4-pointer in the second half. Then, with 15 seconds left on the clock and the 'Dogs forced into a goal line dropout, the game was over. Eels players and fans were celebrating. Hindy stands still, hands on hips, blank expression. The job was not done. Of all the players’ reactions that night, this stands out from the rest.

- The Hindy that ends with wood – 2012… A career spanning 14 years with one club. A career that saw him represent his region, state and country. A career ends not with a ring, but with a spoon made from wood.

Whatever fairy-tale ending you wish for Nathan Hindmarsh, he probably deserves them all. This Sunday night at ANZ Stadium, we won’t have to wish for anything. Hindmarsh will get the standing ovation he deserves from the thousands in attendance and we’ll all know how amazing a footballer he is; and was.