Eric Grothe: I'm a muso, not a footy player

[ucantseeme]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22500147-5006066,00.html

Grothe: I'm a muso, not a Test player


Article from: </IMG>
By Steve Mascord
September 29, 2007 12:00am

PARRAMATTA winger Eric Grothe will write a letter of apology to Australian selectors but says they have every right never to pick him again.
Breaking his silence after failing to show up for the Australian train-on squad meeting on Wednesday, the Parramatta star said football was not his top priority now the domestic season was over.
But he added he would also call Test coach Ricky Stuart to apologised for any offence caused by his absence.
"I see myself as a struggling musician who plays footy to pay the bills," Grothe told The Saturday Daily Telegraph.
"I wish I had told someone I wasn't going. After two days of drinking beer I wasn't actually thinking logically and should have given them the courtesy of a phone call.
"For that, I'm sorry."
But Grothe said he wasn't sorry for staying away, rather for the offence his absence caused.
Asked if he wanted to play in the Test against New Zealand at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on October 14, he answered: "Not really . . . well, it's more I thought I wasn't much chance of getting picked.
"Getting named in a train-on squad . . . I've never been in a train-on squad before.
"I was talking to a few of the boys beforehand and they said they didn't seem to think it was a big meeting, that it would be a long session.
"But obviously it was important to a lot of people. It's the end of the season, I wasn't really up for a lot of training."
Asked about comments from Stuart and Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald chastising him for his tardiness, Grothe said: "That's fair enough."
Asked if he feared being blackballed from representative football, he responded: "I've made my bed, I have to lie in it."
He said his letter to selectors would explain he was not intending to show them any disrespect.
"Rep footy is very important to some people, it's this big important thing to play for your country. I wasn't making a stance," he said.
"They talk about pride in the jumper - the time I played against France I felt that. It was an emotional day for me.
"Footy's not my favourite thing, but I don't hate it.
"I'm sorry for not calling ahead to say I wouldn't be there. I'm not sorry for being me."
Grothe said he did not want to publicly give a blow-by-blow account of what happened on Wednesday because it would sound like he was making excuses.
"I haven't got any excuses, I just didn't go," he said.
"I'll just be writing a letter to the selectors - I don't really know who to contact - and thank them for having enough regard for my football ability to pick me.
"I'll call Ricky maybe in a couple of days. If he wants to call back, he can. Whatever is fine."


Can you believe this guy? Jeezus...

 

[Raider_69]

He should stick to footy, he's good at that
imo his band is pretty f**king ordinary

 

[woodyk2]

Each to their own i spose...but even his club must question his commitment.

 

[Eye_Shot_The_Sheriff]

full marks to him for being honest

 

[Timmah]

Sounds to me he's in footy to impress his dad/because of that expectation... rather than for the love of it...

 

[badav]

Sounds to me he's in footy to impress his dad/because of that expectation... rather than for the love of it...

Possibly but you dont make first grade and get talked about for rep sides based on others expectations. He obviously has some form talent. But then again there are heaps of people out there that have talent but no will or idea how to use it.

All i can say is im glad he doesnt play for the team i support.

 

[Hutchy86]

I, for one, am glad he's an Eels.
However I am disappointed that no-one will ever get to see Eric at his full potential, because his heart simply does not lie in the game.
Kudos for his honesty though

 

[parra pete]

Good on him I say. These games are meaningless anyway. Inernational football is kaput and won't resurrect until the Kangaroos undertake tours like they have in the past.
The teams are without stars through injury and withdrawals. The players don't want it. If the games attract a bigger crowd than 25,000 I would be very surprised.

 

[NK Arsenal]

What a load of sh.t

 

[ucantseeme]

He should commit his time to being a muso and quit footy if he feels that way.

Retire immediately. I am sure he has earned enough $$$ over the years to "pay the bills" til the albums and concert ticket sales pick up.

 

[herbert henry1908]

its interesting really. I guess something most of us would never consider that some of the NRL players dont really love the game with a passion.

it stands to reason though considering there are over 300 of them.

one things for sure , he's never playing any rep footy again.

 

[shiznit]

i like it... Football is his job... Music is his passion... whats the problem with that??

i know people who are working as teachers to pay the way for there struggling music careers..

like i said in one of the other threads.. i havent seen anything from him that says hes been slack at club football... hes putting in at club level and thats all you can ask for...
rep football is not a requirement...

 

[tye]

Says alot about the state of international League.....why bother?

 

[God-King Dean]

i like it... Football is his job... Music is his passion... whats the problem with that??

Nothing wrong with that

i know people who are working as teachers to pay the way for there struggling music careers..

But you don't see teachers go walk about do you ?

This is about being professional. He should had the professional & common courtesy to tell of his intentions.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Says alot about the state of international League.....why bother?

He hsnt been committed to SOO either... why bother? :roll:

 

[innsaneink]

Good on him I say. These games are meaningless anyway. Inernational football is kaput and won't resurrect until the Kangaroos undertake tours like they have in the past.
The teams are without stars through injury and withdrawals. The players don't want it. If the games attract a bigger crowd than 25,000 I would be very surprised.

Garbage...dont speak for all players.

Good on Grothe .....he took his time but at least hes explained himself, thats his decision, thats cool.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Says alot about the state of international League.....why bother?

bit like Steve Merrick with the wallabies really:lol:

 

[Mr Saab]

These games are meaningless anyway. Inernational football is kaput and won't resurrect until the Kangaroos undertake tours like they have in the past.
The teams are without stars through injury and withdrawals. The players don't want it. If the games attract a bigger crowd than 25,000 I would be very surprised.

What a very negative attitude to have.
And here i was thinking that you were MR Positive on everything.

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

But you don't see teachers go walk about do you ?

Teachers also don't have to cut short their holidays to go teach in a mickey mouse high school.

OK maybe thats a bit weird but the point is if he isn't passionate about rep footy or footy in general then why should he cut short his time to go and train when realistically he will probably spend more time watching from the stands so the Australian selectors can fill their Bronco quota?

International footy is a joke, too many agendas, not enough talent and barely any interest. AFL is more than successful and they don't give a toss about the international game.

 

[fourplay]

Some people are still living in the past

the last 2 tri nations tournaments have been the best and most passionate rugby we have seen in years... Eric Grothe said he didn't think he was a chance of making it.. so he probably just didn't want to use his time doing more training after the season is over and he wants to relax..