Grothe vows he's going nowhere

[FUIFUI_MOIMOI]

ERIC GROTHE has ended speculation over his future at Parramatta by declaring: "I'm here for two more years."

Grothe's future at the club appeared clouded after Eels officials gave him permission to negotiate with rival clubs, despite being contracted until the end of 2010.

That development, coupled with Grothe's poor form last season, raised fears his family's proud association with the Eels could be coming to an end.

However the former Kangaroos winger, speaking about his future for the first time since being dropped to feeder club Wentworthville, insisted he was staying put.

"I'll be at Parra for two more years," Grothe told The Sun-Herald. "Straight away, on the day I signed [with Parramatta] they said, 'if you ever want to go elsewhere and get another offer that's better than the one you're on now, we'd never hold you to this one'.

It's been the same since day one.

"[Speculation about leaving] has been a massive beat-up. As far as I'm concerned, and Parra are concerned, I'm there for two more years, until the end of 2010."

Grothe made no excuses for his poor form last season. At his best the enigmatic 28-year-old is a NSW and Australian representative.

But after a series of defensive lapses on the flank he was dropped to the NSW Cup in June. The form of his replacement, Tony Williams, then kept him out of the NRL.


While representative honours are the last thing on his mind, Grothe said he believed he could again become a "regular first-grader" for the blue-and-golds.


"I think I can. I'm confident in my ability. It's up to me," he said. "[Being dropped] was no one's fault but mine. Hages [coach Michael Hagan] actually stuck with me a lot longer than I thought he would. I've had [back] injuries, but that's no excuse.

I got dropped before the injuries." Grothe's chances of winning back his wing spot increase with Williams's move to Manly next year. He said playing in the NSW Cup was the jolt he needed.

"It brings you back down to earth. It's good," he said. "It keeps you on your toes and makes you realise your time in rugby league is short."

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/grothe-vows-hes-going-nowhere/2008/10/11/1223145697114.html

 

[bartman]

Well it's obvious he won't leave his contract - why would he? Unless the club push him, rather than just open the door for him.

Let's hope he steps up and earns his money though for the next two years - expensive for a club to have a top 17 player languishing in reggies.

At least Eric says "it's up to me" and admits Hages kept him on longer than he should have this season. Here's hoping you can do something about it Eric!

 

[FUIFUI_MOIMOI]

hope he doesnt have the attitude of 'im contracted for the next 2 years, ill just play reggies and pursue my career in the music industry'

 

[Ron Jeremy]

my only worry is that, has supercoach developed a plan to combat his poor defense and reading? the same problems which he has had since 2000.

 

[yy_cheng]

I would still like to experiment with him as a bench 2nd rower.

Come on for short spurts running hard like moi moi or the tiger's yannick noah

Of course he would need some training but he has 6 months during the offseason to learn the trade

 

[eeladdick]

i think that our poor centres have made him look worse then what people have made out, even when he was dropped the same problem was there, but this is just my opinion

 

[Stagger eel]

I tend to agree with Ron, it was an area that coaching staff couldn't fix and therefore i hold them responsable but in saying that i think he suffered more with the absence of Ben Smith inside him, call me an optomist but I really believe those 2 could well be back deputising that right side.

we need a fit and firing Grothe and I still think he has it in him.

 

[hineyrulz]

Grothe is going nowhere, bit like like Parra ATM.......

 

[Twizzle]

he would certainly free up some money if he did

on current form, I cant see him getting a better offer anywhere else

 

[big boppa eel]

I tend to agree with Ron, it was an area that coaching staff couldn't fix and therefore i hold them responsable but in saying that i think he suffered more with the absence of Ben Smith inside him, call me an optomist but I really believe those 2 could well be back deputising that right side.

we need a fit and firing Grothe and I still think he has it in him.

How fit is Benny these days.

 

[Stagger eel]

How fit is Benny these days.

I'd like to think he'll be in better shape by March than he was all year, I actually agree with Hagan, we missed his presence but he's certainly not the reason why we didn't make the 8.

 

[Stagger eel]

he would certainly free up some money if he did

for who? there is absolutely no one available for 09 so what's the point in releasing an experianced player for the sake of saving cap space?

I guess there's an arguement for 2010 though..

 

[Parra Guru]

hope he doesnt have the attitude of 'im contracted for the next 2 years, ill just play reggies and pursue my career in the music industry'

And if he does, it's no one's fault but the club's!

I think he deserves a break, he did his stint with Wenty until he got injured. I hope he gets first crack in 2009, with Ben Smith next to him.

 

[Hellsy]

Ah... the truth prevails... who'd have thought media speculation could have been wrong?? :lol: :lol:

 

[Nikki]

But after a series of defensive lapses on the flank he was dropped to the NSW Cup in June. The form of his replacement, Tony Williams, then kept him out of the NRL.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/grothe-vows-hes-going-nowhere/2008/10/11/1223145697114.html

Hmmm... I thought it was a back injury..

 

[bartman]

And if he does, it's no one's fault but the club's!

Disagree. Players have to take some responsibility and pride in their efforts. Failure to play to your own standards can't always be someone else's fault - the coach, the trainer, the club management etc.

Having said that I hope that he earns first shot at the wing position for 2009 too. It's all up to him really.

 

[fish eel]

And if he does, it's no one's fault but the club's!

I think he deserves a break, he did his stint with Wenty until he got injured. I hope he gets first crack in 2009, with Ben Smith next to him.

I'm sorry, but that's 'bs'

Did his stint with Wenty? You say that like he should be patted on the back for fronting uo to wenty. Rightly or wrongly, he was dropped, and he had to play for wenty, as would any other play. It's not about doing your stint, it is about doing what you are obliged and paid to do.

 

[Parra Guru]

Yeah I'm saying he did that up until injury prevented it, so what's your problem? I'm not saying he deserves a medal for it, but the coach asked him to go back and work on his game.

Everyone gave him sh*t all year, and kept giving him sh*t, even though they weren't attending the games he was playing. He then got injured, and surely even you could admit he would have been a better option than Tony Williams towards the end of the year, had he not been injured?

Yes, he deserved to get dropped, but tbh I felt like he was a scapegoat for the 2 defenders inside him, because, magically, we kept leaking points down that side. Now he comes out saying he wants his spot back and is willing to work for it, and people are still hanging sh*t on him "oh I hope he doesn't bludge at Wenty and chew up the money"... he probably shouldn't be earning as much as he is, but again the club fell for the union bluff and gave it to him. Do you really think the guy wants to play at Ringrose for the next 2 years?

At least he has a better motivation than the other outside back who only wants to pull out a big game around Rep selections.

 

[HevyDevy]

I agree Parra Guru.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm sorry, but that's 'bs'

Did his stint with Wenty? You say that like he should be patted on the back for fronting uo to wenty. Rightly or wrongly, he was dropped, and he had to play for wenty, as would any other play. It's not about doing your stint, it is about doing what you are obliged and paid to do.

you should ask Roosters fans what they think of Danny Nutley...