FORMER tackling machine Nathan Hindmarsh has implored Raiders workhorse Shaun Fensom to lighten his defensive load or risk being continually snubbed for representative honours.
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Fensom has been in outstanding form for the Raiders, but it wasn't enough for the lock forward and two-time club best and fairest to win a spot in the Country team.
Parramatta great Hindmarsh, who retired at the end of last season after a stellar 15-season, 330-game career with the Eels, said he was a big fan of Fensom, but that he may need to alter his style to catch the eye of representative selectors.
''Some of the carries he does, he's very devastating with the ball and I don't want him to get stuck in a defensive mode,'' Hindmarsh said.
''If I was him, I would've been disappointed I didn't make the Country side.
''Does he need to cut back his defence and focus on attack … it's hard to tell a player to do that.
''It's just one of those things, that's the style of footy he plays, and it might cost him Origin or representative jerseys.''
Hindmarsh is the only player to have made more than 10,000 tackles in the NRL and shares the record, of 75, for the most in a single game with Fensom.
Hindmarsh made 23 appearances for Australia and played 17 State of Origin matches for NSW despite coaches attempting to get him to change his style.
''Coaches tried to get me to do less (tackling), but unfortunately that was the style I ended up playing,'' Hindmarsh said.
''I moved from the middle to the edge, which made a massive difference in my workrate.
''That's Shaun's style of footy and it's good to watch.
''The try-saving tackles he makes, the carries he does when no one else wants to do one, blocking the holes type of stuff … he's an important part of that side.''
Another crucial cog for the Raiders is Josh Papalii, the second-row enforcer who signed a deal with the Eels only to change his mind and re-commit to Canberra. Papalii took advantage of the round 13 deadline, which gives a player's current club the chance to make a final offer.
''It's unfortunate because Josh is a great player and would have been a great acquisition for the club,'' Hindmarsh said.
''We thought we had him, but contracts these days don't seem to be worth the paper they're written on sometimes.
''I'm a bit old-school mate.
''If I sign a contract with X or Y or Z, I've made the decision to sign the contract knowing I've committed to that team.
''There's definitely no hard feelings towards Josh.''