Nathan Hindmarsh and Andrew Ettingshausen played 658 first grade games between them. They also compiled 44 State of Origin appearances for New South Wales and a handy 48 for the green and gold of the Australian Kangaroos.

But neither ever won a grand final.

For all the injuries, scorching summer pre-seasons, breathtaking victories and heartbreaking losses, neither Hindmarsh or Ettingshausen ever won a title for their respective clubs. They are just two of many, the majority, to never enjoy the sweet touch of glory. For some the agony never subsides. It lurks beneath the surface through the winter months waiting for the start of spring, knowing finals football is just around the corner. And then it’s back.

Hindmarsh told The Daily Telegraph in 2012 that not winning a grand final was his one regret.

“For me, I’ll be more disappointed that I didn’t win a grand final” Hindmarsh said just before his retirement.

“I would’ve loved to have won a grand final. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in two. A lot of blokes haven’t played in any.

“I’ve managed to play for my country and my state so I can’t really complain.”

Ironically it was Johnathan Thurston’s North Queensland Cowboys who shocked red-hot favourites Parramatta in the 2005 preliminary final 29-0 sending the minor premiers crashing out of the race.

Hindmarsh had to wait four years for another shot but not even Jarryd Hayne could get Parramatta over the line.

Ettingshausen was magic. You could find E.T on most winter weekends at Shark Park, shredding up the opposition on his way to another double or hat-trick. Whether it was for Cronulla, NSW or Australia, Ettingshausen frenzied on tries much like Brett Stewart does today.

But no grand final.

Premiership-winning Penrith Panthers forward Scott Sattler remembers his then coach John Lang, Ettingshausen’s coach prior to that, using the great Shark in his grand final week speeches in 2003.

“Our coach John Lang said to us to enjoy every second of the week. ’I want you to do every interview, I want you to really soak up this week and take it for what it is because some players never get to play in a grand final.’

“He always used Cronulla legend Andrew Ettingshausen as an example.”

Maybe Sattler has got his wires crossed or perhaps Lang simply doesn’t remember coaching Cronulla to the 1997 Super League decider where they just so happened to go down to North Queensland’s opponents on Sunday, Brisbane.

Ettingshausen never saw another grand final before or after.

The point is grand finals don’t come around every day and for many of these current players, they’ll never see another. Sure it’s easy to laugh this off, such is the talent in both camps but it rarely works out that way.

For all Thurston’s talent and the men he’s had around him, men like Matt Bowen, Aaron Payne, Matt Scott, James Segeyaro, Matt Sing, James Tamou and Brent Tate, the Cowboys haven’t seen the grand final since 2005.

Brisbane hasn’t been there since 2006.

How many players have both clubs turned over since then?

You can drive a fast car, see yourself on the T.V, sign autographs, date hot women, drive faster cars, date faster women and everything else that goes with it.

That all sounds great but when it’s all over what have you got?

What did you really get out of your career?

Did you take that chance, that grand final glory?

There are so many talented young players on show in this grand final that you could be excused for thinking the same two teams will be there in 2016 or somewhere passed the beyond.

But we all know it doesn’t always work out that way.

Just ask Hindmarsh and Ettingshausen.

@woodward_curtis

Video Source: Jason Hobday