St George Illawarra may have spoiled Nathan Hindmarsh’s farewell bash but the result hardly seemed to matter as the biggest Sydney regular season crowd in 43 years flocked to say a final goodbye to four of the NRL’s one-club greats.
The Dragons triumphed 29-8 in the 2012 regular season finale for two teams out of the play-offs.
This was an occasion to celebrate the careers of four decorated players – Dragons duo Ben Hornby and Dean Young enjoying one last win over Hindmarsh and likeable winger Luke Burt in front of 45,863 fans, the largest crowd for a non-double header in Sydney since Balmain played South Sydney at the SCG in 1969.
It also formed part of an NRL record total of 3,151,666 fans for the regular season. .
“A bit sad to be honest with you, sad the way we finished,” Hindmarsh said of his last hurrah.
“I would have liked to have had a win, but that’s the way it happens.
“I’ve got some great memories, awesome crowd tonight.”
There were no tears as all four players were honoured on stage before completing a lap of honour, though Hindmarsh admitted it would only be a matter of time.
“Probably about midday tomorrow I reckon, after a few quiet ones,” Hindmarsh said.
Added Burt, who enjoyed a long embrace with his father Dave after the siren: “I’m sucking them (the tears) up.
“It’s one of those nights where I am just that happy and I can’t ask for anymore out of my career.”
Ever the clubman, Hornby – who scored one of six Dragons tries on the night when he beat four defenders in a ten metre run to the line – preferred to focus on what the night meant for his team.
“We finished the year off really well, that last two weeks have been good,” he said.
For Young, the final whistle was pure relief for a battered body.
Pressed into action early when the Dragons lost Mitch Rein (ankle) and Josh Miller (concussion) inside the opening 11 minutes, Young could not push his body any further.
“(I’m) relieved at the moment – if you watched me play tonight, I’ve had enough,” Young said.
“I’ve got nothing left to give.
“I’m glad it’s all over, it’ll probably hit me like a tonne of bricks in the next three days or couple of months.”
Certainly Reni Maitua hit Miller early with a high shot that landed the Eels lock on report, but it was a brief moment of fire from a Parramatta side which once again showed why it collected the spoon.
Wingers Bronx Goodwin and Brett Morris scored inside the opening half hour, with Chris Sandow’s chip and chase to set up Ryan Morgan’s try another all to brief Parramatta highlight.
The Dragons went on with the job with four tries after the break before Hindmarsh delivered one final memory in a glittering career when he potted a penalty goal from a sand pile after the fulltime siren.
“Pretty standard really,” Hindmarsh joked of his first ever NRL goal.
“Can kick em, just never get the opportunities.”
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