Hindmarsh concerned at ominous Storm - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hindmarsh concerned at ominous Storm

By Todd Balym 02/10/2009 04:59:17 PM Comments (0)

Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh admits it is the grand final match-up he dreaded most.

Ever since Hindmarsh watched Melbourne humiliate reigning premiers Manly 40-12 on the opening night of the NRL finals series the Eels workhorse has feared walking into the eye of the Storm.

But with both sides having conquered all before them, Hindmarsh said he was ready to take on the NRL's most dominant team of the past four seasons.

"We're coming up against a top-class Melbourne team who, to be honest, are very scary," Hindmarsh told AAP.

"I watched the two semi-finals they've played and that first one against Manly I thought I don't really want to have to play Melbourne.

"And then again on Saturday night against Brisbane they were on fire.

"The nerves are there because we know just how good a team they are.

"It's going to come down to who wants it more on the weekend."

The two factors concerning Hindmarsh the most are superstar Melbourne duo Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.

Inglis scored three tries in the win over Brisbane, Slater two, and the pair have been somewhat unstoppable ever since Inglis returned from his suspension following some off-field dramas.

"They are in great form and they can turn nothing into something, especially Greg Inglis and Billy Slater," said Hindmarsh.

"We just have to be extra careful on those two.

"Then there's Cameron Smith around the ruck, Cooper Cronk and (Brett) Finchy as well, he has been playing some great football in the semi-finals.

"It's scary."

But if there is anything that Parramatta can take confidence from it is the fact they've taken down the top three sides of the regular season in becoming the first eighth-placed team in the history of the decade-old McIntyre finals series to reach the grand final.

The Eels humbled minor premiers St George Illawarra (25-12), outlasted third-placed Gold Coast (27-2) and then ran away from second-placed Bulldogs (22-12) in last Friday's preliminary final.

Having been as low as 15th on the NRL table after round 18, the Eels have won 10 of 11 games on the back of an entertaining brand of football to reach the decider and Hindmarsh has urged his players not to get gun shy when it matters most.

"I don't think anyone is going to go into their shell," he said.

"It's the last game of the year and it's the most important game of the year.

"As Nathan Cayless and everyone has been saying, we've been in this (must-win) position for a while now so I can't see anyone going into their shells.

"We just have to go out there and play some footy."

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