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WINGER Eric Grothe will attempt to dig his heels in at Parramatta even though the Eels are prepared to cut ties with one of the club's most famous names.
Grothe's manager, Roy Spagnolo, said last night his client, who has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs, was happy staying at the Eels and wanted to "fight his way back" into first grade.
"At this stage, he's not going anywhere," Spagnolo said. "He's happy to stay where he is."
It is believed the Eels inquired about whether Grothe, who has two more years remaining on his current deal with the club, would be prepared to move after a column item appeared in a magazine linking him with English giants Wigan.
Grothe, the 28-year-old son of the legendary Parramatta winger of the same name, was dropped from first grade in June to feeder side Wentworthville but has been sidelined with a back injury.
"There's been no real discussion," Spagnolo said. "It was just an inquiry from them. No one's really sat down and spoken to Eric. It's just been in passing. But he's committed to staying where he is and he's ready to fight his way back."
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said the club would honour Grothe's contract should he stay firm.
"We've given him permission to talk to other clubs," Fitzgerald said. "Nothing's changed. If he can't find another club he's with us."
Former Eels centre Mick Cronin, a teammate of Eric snr, encouraged Grothe to attempt a return.
Asked about the prospect of Grothe being cut by the club, Cronin said: "It would be sad to see it happen, but it's the nature of the beast, isn't it?
"I would gather it's not something the club particularly wants to do. His father has got a big history. But I hope he comes back and tries to prove a point. There's no doubt there's talent there."
Meanwhile, Mathew Head is edging closer to a remarkable return to St George Illawarra after the Dragons confirmed their interest in the halfback.
Head is believed to have already told Wests Tigers officials that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season for the Dragons. Head played with the Dragons for five seasons, but his time there was marred by a succession of injury problems. He is almost certain to have played his last game for the Tigers even if the club is able to grab an unlikely finals berth.
North Queensland yesterday signed Melbourne prop Antonio Kaufusi to a three-year deal. The former Queensland and Australian representative was contracted to the Storm until the end of next season, but was told he was free to negotiate, and the Bundaberg product opted for a return to his home state.
Manly coach Des Hasler has pencilled in injured five-eighth Jamie Lyon to return in the final round. The former representative star suffered medial ligament damage in the round-19 win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval.
Lyon's defence and his playmaking ability have been missed, with Manly losing three out of four games while he has been out.
"Jamie's coming along well," Hasler said yesterday. "He's started running again. He's no hope of playing this weekend and we're not looking at him for the following round.
"We've always had the last-round game against Penrith as the aim and because his recovery has been good it's set to turn out that way now."
Barring injuries to other regulars between now and the finals and factoring in Lyon's anticipated return, the Sea Eagles could go into the finals with a full squad for Hasler to consider.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...e-wants-to-stay/2008/08/21/1219262414036.html
Grothe's manager, Roy Spagnolo, said last night his client, who has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs, was happy staying at the Eels and wanted to "fight his way back" into first grade.
"At this stage, he's not going anywhere," Spagnolo said. "He's happy to stay where he is."
It is believed the Eels inquired about whether Grothe, who has two more years remaining on his current deal with the club, would be prepared to move after a column item appeared in a magazine linking him with English giants Wigan.
Grothe, the 28-year-old son of the legendary Parramatta winger of the same name, was dropped from first grade in June to feeder side Wentworthville but has been sidelined with a back injury.
"There's been no real discussion," Spagnolo said. "It was just an inquiry from them. No one's really sat down and spoken to Eric. It's just been in passing. But he's committed to staying where he is and he's ready to fight his way back."
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said the club would honour Grothe's contract should he stay firm.
"We've given him permission to talk to other clubs," Fitzgerald said. "Nothing's changed. If he can't find another club he's with us."
Former Eels centre Mick Cronin, a teammate of Eric snr, encouraged Grothe to attempt a return.
Asked about the prospect of Grothe being cut by the club, Cronin said: "It would be sad to see it happen, but it's the nature of the beast, isn't it?
"I would gather it's not something the club particularly wants to do. His father has got a big history. But I hope he comes back and tries to prove a point. There's no doubt there's talent there."
Meanwhile, Mathew Head is edging closer to a remarkable return to St George Illawarra after the Dragons confirmed their interest in the halfback.
Head is believed to have already told Wests Tigers officials that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season for the Dragons. Head played with the Dragons for five seasons, but his time there was marred by a succession of injury problems. He is almost certain to have played his last game for the Tigers even if the club is able to grab an unlikely finals berth.
North Queensland yesterday signed Melbourne prop Antonio Kaufusi to a three-year deal. The former Queensland and Australian representative was contracted to the Storm until the end of next season, but was told he was free to negotiate, and the Bundaberg product opted for a return to his home state.
Manly coach Des Hasler has pencilled in injured five-eighth Jamie Lyon to return in the final round. The former representative star suffered medial ligament damage in the round-19 win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval.
Lyon's defence and his playmaking ability have been missed, with Manly losing three out of four games while he has been out.
"Jamie's coming along well," Hasler said yesterday. "He's started running again. He's no hope of playing this weekend and we're not looking at him for the following round.
"We've always had the last-round game against Penrith as the aim and because his recovery has been good it's set to turn out that way now."
Barring injuries to other regulars between now and the finals and factoring in Lyon's anticipated return, the Sea Eagles could go into the finals with a full squad for Hasler to consider.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...e-wants-to-stay/2008/08/21/1219262414036.html
