Parramatta great Nathan Hindmarsh is having second thoughts about retiring – and statistics reveal he has every right to.

While Eels fans shouldn’t get too excited – with the veteran back-rower saying there’s no way he’ll play on into a 16th NRL season – statistics revealed by AAP show Hindmarsh is in his best form in five years.

Not since 2007 has the 32-year-old produced back-to-back efforts of 130 metres or more – as he has done over the past fortnight.

The 199 metres he ran for against Penrith in round 16 was his best attacking output since 2006, when he ran for 235 metres against the Sydney Roosters.

Hindmarsh credits a lighter training regime – where he is kept off his feet until the final session – as keeping him fresher for games.

But despite the form and the doubts, 2011 will definitely be it for the Eels skipper.

“I have yeah – a lot of second thoughts,” Hindmarsh said of his impending retirement.

“But once game day comes around, I know I’ve made the right decision.

“I enjoy 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.

“Physically the last two weeks I’ve felt the best I’ve ever felt, but I’ve made the right decision.”

Eels coach Stephen Kearney said it was only natural Hindmarsh would second guess himself.

“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.

“I’m sure in his heart he knows he’s made the right decision.”