Eric Grothe gets serious about NRL return
Those doubting Eric Grothe's ability to return to the NRL didn't witness him in full flight on Thursday.
At a time when most footballers are enjoying their off-season break, the former NSW and Australian winger proved there is still plenty of speed left in his 33-year-old legs.
"I am as fast and strong as I've been but more mentally fresh than when I was playing," Grothe said.
"Everyone says you're a long time retired but seeing Bedsy [Danny Buderus] and Mase [Willie Mason] still running around, it gave me a kick in the bum.
Advertisement "I had a few mates in my ear and, the next minute, I'm here."
"Here" is Centennial Park where, under the watchful eye of sprint trainer Roger Fabri, Grothe joined some of rugby league's biggest names in a very early pre-season session. It's one of a series of workouts Grothe is completing with Fabri to get him into the shape required to rejoin an NRL team after retiring three years ago.
"I don't want to be a fat, slow joke of a comeback – I'm really making a point to be an asset to a team," Grothe said.
"Roger Fabri, people come to him because he's number one in the game.
"Roger has shown me how slack I've been in the time I've been off and we're fixing it. After just one session I've seen improvement and if I can improve every time I'll be right."
Fabri – whose client list includes NRL stars Sonny Bill Williams, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce – believes Grothe still has the physical attributes required to make an impact at the top level.
"His attention to detail is very good; he said it's something in the past he didn't pay much attention to because it all came naturally," Fabri said.
"Because of his age, he has to dot every i and cross every t – and he's done that.
"He's still got some nice raw speed and he's a very big and powerful bloke. We're not where we want to be yet but it's exciting. He certainly has the passion and dedication and, so far, I can't say a critical word about him."
There are four clubs in negotiations with Grothe, who is hopeful of announcing in the coming days where he will be playing. Most have little room left in their salary cap, but the former Eels and Roosters flanker is adamant he will provide good value.
"I feel I could be an asset to the team, so that's up to the clubs I'm talking to to see what my value is," he said.
"I know if they show me trust and don't insult me with a crappy contract, I'll pay them back tenfold."
Asked the difference between the Eric Grothe of today compared to that of his playing days, the Shinobi band member said: "I'm mentally fresh. I was ... a bit jaded. Now I'm actually sitting out of the game going 'I want to play', and I haven't felt like that, well, ever."
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