Eric Grothe, Jr.

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Eric Grothe
fullname = Eric Raymond Grothe, Jr.


caption =
country =
position = Wing
currentclub = leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16 Parramatta Eels
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1980|3|15
placeofbirth = Sydney, New South Wales
countryofbirth = Australia
height = 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
weight = 101 kg (15 st 12 lb)
club1 = leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16 Parramatta Eels
year1start = 1999
year1end = 2001
appearances1 = 15
tries1 = 7
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 28
club2 = leagueicon|Sydney|size=16 Sydney Roosters
year2start = 2001
year2end = 2003
appearances2 = 11
tries2 = 2
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 8
club3 = leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16 Parramatta Eels
year3start = 2004
year3end = present
appearances3 = 84
tries3 = 44
goals3 = 0
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 176
teamA = leagueicon|New South Wales|size=16 New South Wales
yearAstart = 2006
yearAend =
appearancesA = 3
triesA = 2
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 8
teamB = leagueicon|Australia|size=16 Australia
yearBstart = 2005
yearBend =
appearancesB = 1
triesB = 0
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 4
updated = 30 August 2008
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=337 NRL Stats]

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.)

Profile

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 Grothe is a big liability in defence.

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 [http://www.shinobi-oz.com Shinobi] with his brother Daniel and mates Darren Stapleton and Wayne Langfield. Eric writes the lyrics for their songs. Shinobi is registered on [http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Artists/View.aspx?artistid=15437 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 [http://www.theharbouragency.com 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. At the end of the 2008 campaign coach Michael Hagan told Grothe that his services were not required for the 2009 season and he has permission to find a new club.

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

References

External links

* [http://www.parraeels.com.au/ Official Parramatta Eels Site]
* [http://www.stateoforigin.com.au/SOOgame/PlayerDetails.aspx?Pid=146 State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats]
* [http://www.parramattaeelsin2006.blogspot.com/ Blog Site with all Parramatta Eels info for seasons 2006 and the upcoming 2007 season]
* [http://www.shinobi-oz.com Official 'shinobi' website]