Eric Grothe, Jr. 2729842 219286957 2008-06-14T14:13:40Z Amalthea 429625 /* Profile */ fixed link to [[Tony Williams (rugby league)|Tony Williams]] {{Unreferenced|date=September 2007}} {{Infobox rugby league biography | playername = Eric Grothe | image = | fullname = Eric Raymond Grothe, Jr. | dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1980|3|15}} | cityofbirth = [[Sydney, New South Wales]] | countryofbirth = [[Australia]] | dateofdeath = | cityofdeath = | countryofdeath = | height = 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | weight = 101 kg (15 st 12 lb) | nickname = | position = [[Rugby league positions#wing|Wing]] | currentclub = Parramatta | clubnumber = 5 | youthyears = | youthclubs = Mt. Pritchard Eagle Vale | years = 1999 - 2001<br />2001 - 2003<br />2004&ndash; | clubs = [[Parramatta Eels]]<br />[[Sydney Roosters]]<br />[[Parramatta Eels]] | caps(points) = 15 (28)<br /> 11 (8) <br /> 82 (172) | repyears = 2006&ndash; <br>2005&ndash; | repteam = [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]]<br>[[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] | repcaps(points) = 3<br>1 }} '''Eric Raymond Grothe Jr.''' (born [[March 15]], [[1980]] in [[Sydney|Sydney, NSW]]) is an [[Australia]]n [[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 [[Rugby League positions#2 .26 5 Wingers.2C or wing three-quarters|wing]]. For a winger, Grothe is of impressive size. At 1.89 meters tall and 101 kg, he is larger than his teammate, [[Rugby League positions#8 .26 10 Prop-forwards|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 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 (rugby league)|Tony Williams]]. == 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== {{reflist}} == 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] {{Parramatta Eels squad}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Grothe, Eric Jr.}} [[Category:Australian rugby league players]] [[Category:Sydney Roosters players]] [[Category:1980 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Parramatta Eels rugby league players]] [[Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players]]