Sunday, March 07, 2004
Hindy reveals Parra's determination
The 2001 Grand Final loss still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the Eels that played in that game and they're still just as determined as ever to make up for that surprise loss, Nathan Hindmarsh has told The Sun Herald.
Hindmarsh said he couldn't bare to get into either of the last two grand finals because "all it does is remind me that we had a chance and didn't take it".
"When you've played in one and you know you stuffed up you just want to play in another one yourself," he was quoted as saying.
"If we get another chance we have to make sure we get it right. Losing that game just makes me want to win one even more."
Hindmarsh said Parra's size in the forwards was going to make a big difference to the team in 2004.
"We've been experimenting with it in the trials and I think it's gone well. It appeals to me. We needed more weight in the pack. You need a massive pack these days and we've got that now.
"The game has become more aggressive and we had to go along with that. We really bashed each other at training over the summer. We stuck on the tackling suits and trained aggressively. There were a few split lips from blokes colliding with each other.
"We've got to see how it goes in the competition, but I reckon it's going to improve our chances. We're hoping we'll have more luck with injuries than we had last year, too.
"I think we're capable of going all the way. We've got the players to do that, as long as we can keep them on the field."
Hindmarsh said he couldn't bare to get into either of the last two grand finals because "all it does is remind me that we had a chance and didn't take it".
"When you've played in one and you know you stuffed up you just want to play in another one yourself," he was quoted as saying.
"If we get another chance we have to make sure we get it right. Losing that game just makes me want to win one even more."
Hindmarsh said Parra's size in the forwards was going to make a big difference to the team in 2004.
"We've been experimenting with it in the trials and I think it's gone well. It appeals to me. We needed more weight in the pack. You need a massive pack these days and we've got that now.
"The game has become more aggressive and we had to go along with that. We really bashed each other at training over the summer. We stuck on the tackling suits and trained aggressively. There were a few split lips from blokes colliding with each other.
"We've got to see how it goes in the competition, but I reckon it's going to improve our chances. We're hoping we'll have more luck with injuries than we had last year, too.
"I think we're capable of going all the way. We've got the players to do that, as long as we can keep them on the field."
