Parramatta Eels veteran Ben Smith scotches rumours Nathan Hindmarsh will play on

PARRAMATTA players have revealed there's been talk within the club of Nathan Hindmarsh playing on next season.

PARRAMATTA players have revealed there's been talk within the club of Nathan Hindmarsh playing on next season. But that's where it ends, according to teammate and fellow Eels veteran Ben Smith.

"Over the past three or four weeks, it has been tossed up," Smith told The Daily Telegraph last night. "But Hindy has hit it on the head. We even had a golf day with sponsors (on Tuesday) and it was being asked a few times. He squashed it straight away."

Parramatta's decision to cease negotiations to host Hindmarsh's farewell match to ANZ Stadium fuelled speculation the club's most-capped star could also abandon his retirement plans.

While a $100,000 fee to switch the game from Parramatta Stadium was problematic, Eels officials were most concerned about being left out of pocket should an untimely injury or suspension rule Hindmarsh out.

Smith said the 32-year-old's strong form over the past two months had been another factor in the retirement backflip rumours. Other teammates have directly asked Hindmarsh about the rumours, only to be told his body and mind are ready for the end in four weeks' time.

"Hindy is a straight-shooter," Smith said. "What you see is what you get.

"He's got no regrets and is looking forward to the next stage of his life. He's made his decision and won't be going back on it."

Incoming coach Ricky Stuart faces an unenviable task to replace Hindmarsh, who routinely makes upwards of 50 tackles a game.

The club's two forward recruits - Manly pair Darcy Lussick and Daniel Harrison - have made just 45 NRL appearances between them.

Hindmarsh has been offered a post-football career at the club, but the exact job description is yet to be finalised.

That will become clearer when he meets with Stuart, who could welcome Hindmarsh into the revamped football department.

The other option is an ambassadorial role, which would see Hindmarsh promote the Eels in the wider community.

Caretaker coach Brad Arthur last night backed Hindmarsh to continue playing, but couldn't see the warhorse changing his mind.

"I don't think he's the type of bloke who'd have second thoughts," Arthur said.

"He seems happy with the decision and is mentally preparing for it.

"It's been a matter of getting him through the season, on a week-to-week basis.

"Sometimes he might only do half the training sessions, or maybe even one. However he's not the type of bloke who needs conditioning."