Former club Captain, New Zealand captain, and Eels Legend Nathan Cayless has tonight been added to the Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame at a Gala Dinner at The Star in Pyrmont.
The induction saw Cayless added to the Hall of Fame along with special inductee and club founder, Jack Argent, who was honoured for his dedication and passion in bringing Parramatta into the Sydney first-grade competition back in 1947.
Cayless was handed his medal by former premiership Captain Steve Edge in front of his new Hall of Fame peers, the Eels board, the current NRL squad, and family and friends.
Paying tribute to his teammate and good mate, Nathan Hindmarsh described Cayless as an inspiration.
“I knew Nath (Nathan) was there for the team every game,” Hindmarsh said.
“When I was playing a game, I knew when Nath was off without even seeing him go off: that’s the impact he had on the side.”
“I can remember instances when I’d be out on the field and be absolutely buggered; we’d been out there the same amount of time and done the same amount of work, and I’d be standing hands on the knees and there’s Cayless taking another hit up.”
“That’s the kind of stuff that inspires you to be a better footy player.”
Eels co-captain Tim Mannah paid tribute to a man he considered a role model and mentor at the club.
“He had a presence about him and he had an awe about him that he didn’t have to say to much but when he spoke people listened,” Mannah said.
“Just having him in the room you knew that you were in the presence of a good leader.”
Eels Hall of Fame Legend Dean Pay said Cayless had always impressed him, even as a rookie.
“He was always going to be a captain of the club,” Pay said.
“He had some special qualities, you could see that right from day one. I think he led by example.”
“I couldn’t think of a better person in the whole club than Nathan Cayless to receive this award,” Pay said.
“He’s Parramatta through and through.”
