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Hindmarsh having second thoughts

Hindmarsh having second thoughts
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

Parramatta veteran Nathan Hindmarsh has revealed he is having second thoughts about his decision to retire at the end of this season.

Hindmarsh announced in March his 14th NRL campaign would be his last, amid speculation he was not in coach Stephen Kearney's plans.

Speaking ahead of the clash against arch-rivals Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday, the 32-year-old ruled out playing on next season but admits he has been second guessing his retirement plans in recent weeks.

"I have yeah - a lot of second thoughts, but once game day comes around, I know I've made the right decision," Hindmarsh said on Wednesday.

"I am enjoying playing the game still ... but the feel of game day has changed a lot for me, it's not the be-all and end-all for me nowadays and that's when I knew enough is enough.

"Mentally I've been a bit tired but physically the last two weeks I've felt the best I've ever felt, but I've made the right decision."

It has been a miserable season for the bottom-placed Eels, but Hindmarsh insists he is still enjoying his footy.

"Of course I'd rather be up in the semi-final race come the end of the season. But I'm enjoying my football this year, enjoying coming to training," he said.

"I'm treating every day as my last - I'm having some fun. Even though on the ladder people may not think that, but I'm enjoying that."

Coach Kearney says he is not surprised Hindmarsh is questioning his decision.

"You ask any guy who's retiring and I'm sure they've always got some doubt in their mind," Kearney said.

"I'm sure Nathan's at that stage, we're ticking down to eight games to go now and it will all be finished for him - of course he's going to have some doubts in his mind.

"Only he'll know that, he made that (decision) at the end of last season. I'm sure in his heart he knows he's made the right decision."

Meanwhile, Kearney says he is yet to settle on his 17 to face Manly on Sunday.

Former Test centre Willie Tonga has been dropped to an extended bench, with one of Ryan Morgan, Cheyse Blair or Tonga to drop out of the side if Jarryd Hayne gets through Origin III unscathed.

"I haven't 100 percent made my mind up in terms of the make-up of the side with Willie as yet," he said.

"We're fortunate with Ryan Morgan, Cheyse Blair and Willie obviously with a great deal of experience, we've got some pretty handy players that can play in those positions."

Kearney added when asked to rate the performance of off-season recruits Tonga and Chris Sandow: "It's been a challenge in that sense - in Willie's circumstance he's spent a lot of the year out with injury.

"Things haven't gone to what we probably would have liked and expectation.

"We've just got to make sure we manage that well and keep working through it.

"I think the last probably month of footy we've seen some progress from Chris which has been a real positive, and that's our focus, making sure we get those guys on board and up to speed with what we're after."

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