Eric Grothe Jnr

Eric Raymond Grothe (born 15 March 1980) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia national representative wing, he played in the National Rugby League, largely for Sydney club, Parramatta Eels, with whom his father, Eric Grothe Sr., achieved legendary status in the 1980s. Grothe Jr. also spent three seasons with the Sydney Roosters, and at the end of his career was contracted to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

Playing career

In the 1999 NRL season, Grothe made his first grade debut for the Parramatta Eels as a 19-year-old against the North Queensland Cowboys at Parramatta Stadium in round 19 which ended in a 24-12 victory.

Grothe scored his first try in the top grade the following week as Parramatta defeated Western Suburbs 68-10. Grothe played in Parramatta's qualifying final victory over the Newcastle Knights, scoring a try in a 30-16 win. Grothe made 9 appearances the following season before departing Parramatta. Grothe sat out the entire 2001 NRL season.

Grothe returned to rugby league in 2002 with the Sydney Roosters. Grothe only played eleven top grade games for the club over two seasons and did not play in the 2002 premiership winning team or the 2003 side which reached the grand final but lost to the Penrith Panthers.

Grothe then rejoined Parramatta for the 2004 NRL season. Grothe starred that year and also in the following year when he became a City representative in 2005. At the end of the 2005 NRL season, Grothe finished as Parramatta's top try scorer as the club won the minor premiership. Parramatta were tipped to reach the 2005 NRL Grand Final but suffered a shock 29-0 loss to North Queensland in the preliminary final at Telstra Stadium with Grothe playing on the wing.

At the 2005 Dally M Awards, Grothe was named winger of the year. At the end of the season Grothe played for the Kangaroos, becoming, along with his father, Eric, Snr., the 8th father-son combination to represent Australia.

Grothe was selected to play for New South Wales on the wing in all three games of the 2006 State of Origin series, scoring two tries in Game 3. Grothe is possibly more famous for punching Justin Hodges in the face during an on-field scuffle between the former roommates.

In the 2007 NRL season, Grothe made 23 appearances and scored 11 tries as Parramatta finished 5th and qualified for the finals. Grothe played in the club's 26-10 preliminary final loss against Melbourne in which Grothe scored a try.

With the arrival of new coach Daniel Anderson in 2009, Grothe was at his powerful and explosive best. Anderson has something of a history with Grothe, having coached him as a 14-year-old in the Harold Matthews Cup back in 1995. Parramatta reached the 2009 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm. Grothe played on the wing, scoring a dominant try in the Eels' loss. Many believe that if the Eels had have won, Grothe may have received the Clive Churchill medal due to his solid grand final performance.

On 13 December 2010, Grothe announced his retirement from football after failing to overcome an injury that kept him sidelined for most of the 2010 NRL season.

On 25 October 2013, Eric Grothe announced his plans to return to rugby league after being out of the NRL for 3 years. On 5 November 2013, Eric Grothe signed a one-year contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for the 2014 NRL season. His NRL return was hampered by a devastating lower back injury that Grothe suffered early in the 2014 season.

Wikipedia