Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh now stands alongside a select group of Parramatta players to have played over 250 first grade games for the club since their inception back in 1947.
Hindmarsh played his 250th NRL game for the Eels last Monday night when he led his team to a 18-16 victory over top four contenders the Melbourne Storm.
It was a win that now places the Eels five points away from the eighth and final spot for this year’s finals series.
More importantly, however, it was a win that allowed the Parramatta faithful to celebrate the services of arguably one of the game’s greatest hard men.
Ever since Hindmarsh made his debut back in 1998 against the Adelaide Rams, the Robertson Spuddies junior has always possessed a work ethic on the field that, until now, has been matched by few.
Not making do with the supreme ball playing abilities of legendary forwards such as Arthur Beetson and company, Hindmarsh established his credentials by tackling everything that moved, and gaining possession of a football even if it meant risking a boot to the face.
Because, through Hindmarsh’s eyes, this is the way footy is played.
And it is this approach to the toughest code of all that has seen him play 16 Origins for NSW and 18 Tests for Australia.
More significantly for Eels fans, though, it has also allowed Hindmarsh to reach the 250 game milestone that will improve against none other than great rivals the Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon.
Hindmarsh has made the fourth most tackles and offloads in the NRL this season, and is leading the Eels in both departments.
What will no doubt make Hindmarsh such a critical player against a clinical Bulldogs outfit, will be his ability to clean up possession, chase a kick, and run down an attacker that has set his sights on the try line.
When the two teams met in round six this season, the Bulldogs smashed the Eels 48-18 with Hindmarsh on the sidelines.
Although his presence on Saturday night will stop a thrashing from occuring, it remains to be seen if Hindmarsh’s work ethic alone will give the Eels a chance of victory.
Nevertheless, Hindmarsh’s consistent efforts in Parramatta’s line-up over the years should see the rest of the side deliver against a great rival that once again stands in front of them at an important time of the season.
Alan
Roar Guru
Harry Be careful, Eels supporters said exactly the same thing after their impressive 2007 run. Then look at what happened mate!!!!!!!!!!, Parramatta miss the finals and Michael Hagan resigns. One week at a time my friend, but yeah, what a display by the Eels.
Harry Callahan
Guest
OMG - we are back baby!!! Score tonight 27 - 8 and two wins in a row have been Storm and Dogs - BIG SCALPS !!! Confidence does wonders and who's to say we can't now go through to finals where it's a whole new ball game. Sure we will probably have to rely on other results biut as long as we keep winning ...watch out in 2010!!!
Alan nicolea
Guest
Michael B and Chop Very good points you guys make about the Eels form so far this season, not to mention in recent weeks. I give them big hope against the Bulldogs. Although the Dogs have been good, some of their losses this year just worry me a little, like their loss to an understrength Newcastle away from home, not to mention their loss to the Sea Eagles, who are nowhere near what they were last year. The Eels have to play the full eighty though, just like the Knights and the Sea Eagles did back then.
sportsfanslife.com
Roar Guru
Whilst other players, Paul Taylor comes to mind, not to mention one R.Price have played the game in the same vein as Hindmarsh, especially defensively. More often than not that level of workrate doesn't lend itself to longevitiy at the top. The fact that Hindmarsh is playing some of his best footy, and was a hideously narrow minded omission from the Blues lineup this year is a credit to his conditioning, both physically and mentally. A shining light of a game that desperately needs them. Shame for mine he wasn't a Tiger!
Michael B
Guest
Eels have been consistently playing well for the past few weeks. I've noticed they are focusing more on off loading and playing with less structure - I think this suits parra's line up. I am hopeful they can do a job on the dogs this weekend, but not confident.
Chop
Roar Guru
Alan you are spot on that it's been the inconsistency that has driven most Eels fans mad this year. How Hindmarsh did not play State of Origin this year is absolutely beyond me. He's a champion player and a champion bloke as well. If the NRL is looking for a role model for the game, he's right there in Blue and Gold. Under coach Anderson this year he's even developed an off load which has given Parramatta second phase play which has been critical in the games the Eels have won this season. Will be tough against the Dogs, who I think will play in the GF this year, but as you say if the Eels turn up, they can bust out a massive upset...
Alan nicolea
Guest
Dogsofwar Problem with Parra at the moment though is their inconsistency. They play well one week and falter badly the next. They can ill - afford to sleep against the Bulldogs, who will go for the full eighty. But a local derby as good as this one will no doubt throw up its fair share of surprises, especially if Eels fans turn up in their droves, which they should.
DogsOfWar
Roar Rookie
Glad that Parra is in form at the moment, as the Dogs have a pretty easy run into the semi's, and need some of those teams to lift there game so the Dogs can be tested properly, and come into the Semi's with the right attitude. Love the title of the article...