I'm not leaving Parramatta: Grothe

by Rugby League Live
13/10/2008

Eric Grothe has played down speculation he'll be leaving Parramatta despite being given the all-clear to negotiate with rival clubs.

The out of favour Eels winger has boldly declared "I'm here for two more years", slamming speculation about him leaving the club as "a massive beat-up".

"I'll be at Parra for two more years," Grothe told The Sun-Herald.

"Straight away, on the day I signed [with Parramatta] they said, 'if you ever want to go elsewhere and get another offer that's better than the one you're on now, we'd never hold you to this one'. It's been the same since day one.

"[Speculation about leaving] has been a massive beat-up. As far as I'm concerned, and Parra are concerned, I'm there for two more years, until the end of 2010."

Grothe, a former Kangaroo, was dumped to feeder club Wentworthville following a drastic form slump - but Grothe insists he's willing to fight his way back into the top grade.

"I think I can. I'm confident in my ability. It's up to me," he said.

"[Being dropped] was no one's fault but mine. Hages [coach Michael Hagan] actually stuck with me a lot longer than I thought he would. I've had [back] injuries, but that's no excuse. I got dropped before the injuries."

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