Eric Grothe, Jr.

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Eric Grothe
Personal information
Full name Eric Raymond Grothe, Jr.
Date of birth March 15, 1980 (1980-03-15) (age 28)
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 101 kg (15 st 12 lb)
Club information
Position(s) Wing
Current club Parramatta
Number 5
Youth clubs
Years Club
Mt. Pritchard

Eagle Vale

Senior clubs*
Years Club Apps (points)
1999 - 2001
2001 - 2003
2004–
Parramatta Eels
Sydney Roosters
Parramatta Eels
15 (28)
11 (8)
82 (172)
Representative teams
2006–
2005–
New South Wales
Australia
3
1

* Professional club appearances and points
counted for domestic first grade only.

Eric Raymond Grothe Jr. (born March 15, 1980 in Sydney, NSW) is an Australian rugby league player for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition. Grothe started his career with the Eels, but played briefly with the Sydney Roosters before returning to his original club for the 2004 season.

He is the son of former rugby league great Eric Grothe, Sr. and his position of choice is on the wing. For a winger, Grothe is of impressive size. At 1.89 meters tall and 101 kg, he is larger than his teammate, Prop Forward Nathan Cayless (props are often the biggest players on the field.)

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Aside from being a footballer full-time, Grothe is also a part-time musician. (Although Grothe himself has said he prefers to see himself as a musician who plays football to pay the bills.)

The large, impressive winger grew up surrounded by rugby league, spending his formative years watching his father Eric Senior star in the Eels’ all-powerful side of the 1980s. Unsurprisingly, he cites his father as his greatest influence.

Eric Junior is not totally overshadowed by his father's legacy. Grothe made his first grade debut in 1999 as a 19-year-old, quickly showcasing his impressive combination of strength and speed.

Within a year he was selected in the NSW side for the State of Origin series. However, a knee injury stopped him making his debut - it was an injury that was to cost him a year of his career.

Grothe returned in 2002 with the Roosters but he signalled he was really back when he rejoined Parramatta in 2004. Grothe, who relaxes by playing music, starred that year and became a City representative in 2005 as he helped the Eels surge up the ladder.

He also continued to showcase his musical talents as a regular member of the band on Channel Nine’s The NRL Footy Show.

He also plays in his band Shinobiwith his brother Daniel and mates Darren Stapleton and Wayne Langfield. Eric writes the lyrics for their songs. Shinobi is registered on Triple J Unearthed with track "Enemy" at Number 13 in the Overall Unearthed Charts as at week ending 18 November 2007. In November 2007, the band was snapped up by booking agent powerhouse The Harbour Agency.

On the 26th of September 2007, Grothe earned stinging criticism from Australian coach Ricky Stuart for missing a training session.

After poor showings in the first half of the 2008 season, Grothe was dropped from first grade and replaced with teenager Tony Williams.

[edit] Career highlights

  • Junior Clubs: Mt. Pritchard, Eagle Vale
  • Career Stats: 57 career games to date scoring 31 tries
  • First Grade Debut: Parramatta v Cowboys, Parramatta Stadium, 10/07/99 (Rd 19)
  • Representative Honours: 2005 City Origin Squad, 2005 Australian Kangaroos Tri Nations Touring Squad, 2006 State of Origin Series
  • Parramatta:76 games, 148 points

[edit] References

[edit] External links