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Eric misses the big picture
Where's Eric...Parramatta players in the Centenary of League NRL picture at ANZ Stadium, but Eric Grothe was unable to make it. Picture: Sam Ruttyn By Ray Chesterton February 04, 2008 12:00am PARRAMATTA'S star winger Eric Grothe was forced to forego his chance to be immortalised in one of the most historic rugby league pictures ever taken. A prior commitment prevented Grothe from being in the Parramatta squad on the weekend as part of a unique gathering of all first graders from all clubs to launch the centenary of the game in Australia. Grothe was at ANZ Stadium on Saturday with the Parramatta squad but left before the picture was taken. He is obviously absent in the photo. Grothe's manager Andrew Purcell from Elite Sports Properties says his client was caught in a difficult position because of a prior engagement of several months standing. "It (Grothe's early departure) was already cleared with the coaching staff," Purcell said. "He had permission to take off a little early. He went out and did what was required of him." NRL CEO David Gallop said he thought Grothe would, in time, be sorry he missed the photograph. "When he sees the uniqueness of the photograph and its place in the history of the game I think he will be regretful," he said. The fan day to celebrate the start of the 100th rugby league season in Australia, was such an outstanding success it may find a permanent role in future programming. Not every year. The logistics are too complex for that. But the NRL is now looking at ways to make it a regular event. "I thought it was a brilliant day," Gallop said. "It was fun for fans to be so close to the players. "And it must have been good for the fans to see so much camaraderie in the player ranks even though they will be playing their hardest against each other in a few weeks." More than 25,000 fans registered for the big day but rain and threatening weather cut the numbers. "We'll look into staging another fan day," Gallop said. "But it is a huge exercise and costs a lot of money. So it won't be next year." Gallop said it was not just supporters who enjoyed the day. Coaches and players seemed to enjoy swapping opinions. "For coaches it was a chance to talk away from the heat of battle and I heard some of the players chatting. "It sounded like a school re-union." http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23153832-5006066,00.html |
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Top Eels skip NRL photo
Missing in action ... the players who did manage to turn up for the NRL's commemorative centenary picture on Saturday. Photograph: Sam Ruttyn By Nick Walshaw February 05, 2008 12:00am PARRAMATTA will forever be remembered as the most elusive team of 2008 - regardless of where they finish in the NRL premiership. The Eels yesterday confirmed five NRL graders - Eric Grothe, Tim Smith, Luke Burt, Ben Smith and Chad Robinson - had all missed the historical photo shoot at last Saturday's NRL Fan Day. An Eels official said Robinson missed the entire ANZ Stadium event after suffering a wrist injury on Friday night but vehemently denied the remaining quartet fled without permission before the souvenir picture was taken. More pictures, stories: our special Centenary of League section "The four players all had permission to leave by the club," Eels football manager Andrew Hill told The Daily Telegraph . "They each had other commitments that had been organised well prior to the event." NRL fans have been playing "Where's Wally" with their souvenir posters ever since it was revealed yesterday that Grothe had missed the landmark picture. Strangely, Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes was the only clipboard carrier who failed to join the photo - leaving ANZ Stadium early after being told his attendance was not required. "And originally it was only for players," NRL Communications director John Brady confirmed. "But as they were being organised more and more coaches started to get involved . . . it really was an impromptu thing." Brady also said the NRL would not take action against Parramatta but conceded their fans had every right to feel disappointed with the no-show. "If you follow a certain club and some of your players weren't there then, yes, you may be a bit disappointed," Brady conceded. "But we still think this will be a marvellous picture, a unique souvenir for league fans, regardless of a small number being absent." While some players will forever be absent from the picture, Wests Tigers rookie Beau Ryan was a fortunate addition after the club learned three players would not be able to attend - Bryce Gibbs was having a pin removed from his foot, Danny Galea was best man at a wedding and Shannon McDonnell injured his hamstring on the Friday night. North Queensland centre Ben Farrar stayed in Townsville after suffering what was believed to be broken foot on the night before flying down. And Manly prop Jack Afamasaga (flu) and Canberra forward Ben Jones (hamstring) were also missing because of last-minute injury dramas. http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23160691-5006066,00.html |