This is an open plea to John Grant, Roy Spagnolo, club chairman, coaches, Eels fans, footy fans and all Roarers, to save Nathan Hindmarsh.
The Eels used to be a club in disarray. Now, after the sacking of Stephen Kearney, they are an absolute laughing stock, second only to the New York Knicks as the worst managed club in world sports.
(Sidenote: Personally I don’t think Kearney is the problem. The second coming of Christ couldn’t coach this rabble of a team to success.)
Nathan Hindmarsh has made more tackles for the Eels, NSW, and Australia, than the Spanish Influenza took lives. He’s run more miles than Burke and Wills, and he’s got more crack than the Grand Canyon.
If you look at his body of work it can be argued that he’s the greatest Eel of all time. I know he doesn’t have four premierships like Sterlo, Bert, Guru, Crow, Zip Zip and Mr. Perpetual Motion … but he didn’t have teammates like that either.
He’s just unlucky he wasn’t conceived in 60s instead of the 70s. For this we have to lay blame on Mr. and Mrs. Hindmarsh.
However we can’t fault the genetics. Whatever mix of X and Y chromosomes came together that romantic evening in 1979, scientists need to bottle it and start making replicas.
Nathan’s not built like Michalangelo’s David, but he’s got an arse the size of Phar Lap and within is a big block, natural aspirated, heavy horsepower engine that seems to have no expiry date.
Just look at these stats (courtesy of our good friends at Wikipedia):
• NRL Career: 313 games (As of 21 April 2012) 1998–present;
• Parramatta Career: 313 games (Most First Grade games played for Parramatta) 1998–present;
• Average Tackle Count – 49.91 (2011);
• First player in NRL history to achieve 10,000 tackles;
• Third player in NRL history and first Parramatta player to pass 30,000 running, attacking metres.
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS
• 17 games for NSW 2001–10;
• 23 Tests for Australia 2000–09;
• World Cup 2000, Tri-Nations 2004, Tri-Nations 2006, Four Nations 2009;
• Prime Minister’s XIII 2005, 2008, 2011(Captain).
AWARDS
• Provan Summons medal: (fan’s choice for player of the year) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011;
• Dally M Second Rower of Year: 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006;
• International Forward of the Year: 2004.
Plus, he’s also a great guy to boot. I don’t know him personally, but he named his sons Archie, Buster and Rowdie! Seriously.
You just know that a guy who can bestow dogs name on his kids is a heck of a fella. We should all buy him a beer just for that.
Canvass every active player in the league and I guarantee they’ll all agree to a man that Hindy deserves a premiership before he retires more than anyone else in the game.
He is universally respected across the board, which is something very few footy players can claim.
To John Grant, I beg you kind sir. Please use this newly created Independent Commission to invent some new loophole which will allow Hindmarsh to walk away from the Eels this late in the season and join a contender without salary cap implications.
To Roy Spagnolo, release him from the hell that has become the Parramatta Eels. I know it’s not in the clubs interests – not that you seem to be motivated by the clubs best interests – but look deep within that black heart of yours and find some compassion for one of the greatest clubmen in the history of the game.
To rival CEOs and coaches. Pick up the phone and contact the Eels. Put in a bid to buy out his contract effective immediately.
Heck, I’m so distraught by the prospect of Hindy going winless that I’d even cop the Dogs buying him and winning the premiership this year.
Hang on, let me give that last idea some more thought. I’m very emotional right now.
To opposing players next time you face up against Nathan, just shake his hand and say ‘sorry mate, wish you were here.’ It might seem like an empty gesture, but he needs all the support he can get right now.
To fans across the nation, contact your team and tell them you want Hindy in your club colours.
Let’s all get together.
Let’s save Nathan Hindmarsh.
Meesta Cool
Guest
after last night game, I think we may sack the coach... lol -- gomnna get good odds on Storm's premiership now... Raiders and Eels.. I am crying..
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Already onto my third coldie Bluedog...good times
Bluedog dan
Guest
So im a nsw kiwi living in qld.does that mean i play for qld the blues or the kiwis.im confused.also ive been drinking xxxxbitter thought that was the choice of drink up here.think its time for 1 now.enjoy the w.end
Meesta Cool
Guest
OK,, your club is crap!... your fans should have thrown theor money at gettiing a team rather than throwing it at Melbourne players whilst they were at their LOWEST.. If you don't believe in Karma, look at Melbourne today and compare with this load of 'nothings'.. Do you feel better now!. great article, then you ruined it by whingeing about one team wrestling... LOL --- too many hours reading The Telegraph!. Contrary to popular opinion.. 'Hindy' would be great at Storm, he has a lot of the attributes that Bellamy looks for - including most of the wrestling moves. I wish we could have afforded him. -- his time and effort at 'Parra losers' has been a waste of a brilliant bloke!.
oikee
Guest
You only have to look at his texting sentences to realise he is a kiwi , living at Surfers also gives it away. Kiwi central. Wonder what happened to Ivan Henjak. Yeah, good luck to you as well bluedog. Thank goodness i am a Queenslander, i had nearly forgotten. Arrogant and snobby. This is good, really good, i have always wanted to be snobby, i hope this does not mean i have to give up xxxx gold.
Dtox
Guest
You wouldn't happen to be a New South Welshman would you? The whining kind of gave it away.
Bluedog dan
Guest
Hey oikee r u bruno cullen or just a w@nka.when i first got on ths site i liked wot u said.now ive been living in surfers paradise 4 6 mths.u just sound like every other qlder,arrogent snobby and just plain up themselves.u seem to have a comment on everythng league.so ur bruno john grant or ivan henijack. Either way gd luck champ.
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
And here I saw hoping more for addition by subtraction. But I sense you're an experienced negotiator. I'll chuck in Ben Roberts and every photo in existence of Carl Webb and Chris walker in eels jerseys
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Ok, ok.. you drive a hard bargain. What if we chuck in Jodi Gordon too? Get back to me.
Andy
Guest
"Manly wont buy him, he does not fit in with their culture." Plenty of old players at Manly and Hindmarsh's gambling can help support the club financially. Also he would finish a winner at Manly unlike Parramatta.
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Oikee, stop trying to make me feel better mate. I admire your best efforts at positivity, but the back handed compliments only go so far
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Keep the love coming Rach
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Dane, buddy...I love Hindy but a man's gotta draw the line somewhere
Rachael
Guest
Hindy.... Dont go!! The game will not be the same without you!! In fact, I dont really want to watch rugby league if you're not there! The Eels need you!! Rach x
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Hey Aleks, can I interest you in a straight swap for Braith Anasta? I'll chuck in our coach too.
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Amen Hoy...imagine a guy like that in a maroon jersey! You'd have hundreds of thousands of kids called Nathan running around as a tribute.
Hoy
Roar Guru
The bloke deserves better. Very big shame. If he was a QLDer he would be one of our longest serving players, I have no doubt. Has the heart of an Blue Whale.
oikee
Guest
Dont get me wrong either Aleks, i dont mind the Parra players, i love Hayne Plane, MoiMoi, (one of my workmates in Brissy was a MoiMoi) and Timmy Manna, Along with Burty. They also have a great bunch of kids coming through, the best i have seen in ages. So nothing wrong with the team, they just need time. I just dont like Parra because they had no faith. (At the Top), not the players coach or fans. When you look at the Broncos you can see a difference, and the Broncos were pretty lucky in a sense. Paul Morgan had faith in Bennett, and he took this club to the promised land. Even the fans got it, in 2006 the unwinable final, we won,. I think the Broncos dont even have to win another final, the fans just believe in the team and culture. Much the same way Origin works for Queensland. Parra is simalar to the Broncos, i even seen a UK reporter come to OZ on holiday and his young kid was a Moi Moi fan. Loved him. Parramatta needs to stop messing around in the boardroom, the fans deserve better. People from all around love this club, the board needs to support them. Show some faith.
Dayer
Guest
i disagree on the basis that most of his tackles are around the neck and head region ... I agree that the Storm are/were bad. if you suggest that Nathan went to the storms, he'd be suspend all the time with his natural around the neck/head and the wrestling tactics employed by the storm integrated into his tackling style. But saying all that he is great for the eels.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
Maybe it's a case of one season too long?