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Wenty try right on half time, scorer unknown but Maloney converts to make it 16-6.
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Grothe arrives just in time
By David Riccio | June 15, 2008 12:00am
Just in time ... Eric Grothe checks in at Sydney Airport minutes before his flight was scheduled to be closed. / The Sunday Telegraph
THE punting experts in the Parramatta squad were convinced he wouldn't show. At 9:13 on Friday morning, it looked like they were right. The rest of the Wentworthville squad had made their way to customs and were waiting to board the plane to Auckland for yesterday's NSW Cup match at Mt Smart Stadium.
The star inclusion - the demoted Eric Grothe - was nowhere to be seen. But with QF43 about to close, Grothe arrived. His Eels team-mates believe it's a sign the former NSW Origin winger is genuine about making his way back to the NRL.
"Guru making that flight is massive. It's the first step back for him,'' Eels team-mate Jarryd Hayne said.
"It's a tough trip and would be even harder after being dropped. It shows character that he wants to come back.''
Grothe is fighting to resurrect his career after being dropped to Wentworthville by coach Michael Hagan.
Huddled together on Friday, three Wentworthville officials had anxiety all over their faces just after 9am. They were told by Eels officials "don't hold your breath'' about Grothe arriving - and it didn't look good.
The entire Magpies squad, including former premiership winner Joe Galuavo, had arrived for a group check-in 45 minutes earlier, but the former Test winger was nowhere to be seen.
While team members trawled for a cheap duty free purchase, Wentworthville officials couldn't hide the concern, checking their watches and fidgeting with their mobile phones.
"He said he's stuck in transit,'' one explained.
"We're expecting him to be here.''
Hagan had warned Grothe to "be on that plane'', and at 9.50am he strolled through the doors of the international terminal.
"I've got no comment,'' Grothe said as he made his way to his new team-mates.
After he phoned in sick for training the day after he was dropped in favour of Kiwi winger Tony Williams, he made it to the airport. It was a start. The journey back to the NRL had begun.
