Parramatta Eels legend Eric Grothe reveals he faked injuries to get out of playing games at the height of his playing career
Eels premiership legend Eric Grothe has revealed he would fake injuries to get out of playing games at the height of his career, turning to drugs in a desperate attempt to ease crippling mental demons which plagued him long past his time in rugby league.
Parramatta legend Eric Grothe has made the stunning claim that he would deliberately feign injuries to miss matches, admitting he was often scared during his glittering career.
In an extraordinarily raw and revealing interview, Grothe also admitted taking marijuana during his playing days and cocaine post-career. Nicknamed ‘Guru’, Grothe was known for being laconic yet destructive on the field.
Now 64, he is widely regarded as being among the greatest wingers in Australian rugby league’s 116-year history.
He won four premiership with the Eels, represented NSW in nine games and played eight Tests for Australia.
“The ego was running riot, but away from everyone, when being myself, it was just a belief that didn’t translate to the public side of things,” Grothe told Andy Raymond’s Unfiltered podcast.
“I had no self-esteem and started faking injuries. I could have played a lot more games.
“I played football in a scared way. It felt like I was little – everyone looked bigger to me. It became worse. I just festered into being uncomfortable, to the point where if it was a Sunday game, on Friday and Saturday nights I’d be thinking I don’t want to play Sunday.
“That’s why it got to the point when I would fake injuries. It became too much for me, so I opted out. It was a battle I was having inside a lot.
“There were a number of games I pulled out of on Sunday morning. I rang (Eels) doctor (Peter) Manollaras and said ‘Pete, I can’t play, my knee or ankle is sore’. I told him I didn’t want to play. Then I’d be happy.
“I did have drugs when I was playing, just your standard marijuana. But I never really escaped myself. You try to run away from yourself. You make excuses. Having a smoke took away from me having to deal with it.
“I learnt a fair bit about depression after going through it. I battled with that. I couldn’t find strength to fight it or get over the top of it to see the real picture. I was this mild-mannered, scared person.”
In discussing his mental health issues, Grothe said his decision to play was often dependent on who the Eels were confronting.
“I remember the feeling of going to a game and pretending this toughness,” he said. “It would depend on who we were playing. If I hadn’t had happy games against them previously, then I would drag that back into my mentality. ‘I don’t want to play them, I don’t want to go to Canberra, it’s too cold’, that sort of thing.
“I had no esteem and didn’t think I was worthy. From 1984, ’85, I struggled big time, thinking that I had to live up to what I had done, but I couldn’t do it anymore and believe in myself.
“The knees were a problem, but when I did my knee the last time I was a little bit happy about it because I didn’t have to deal with this thing in my head that I had to get out there and show that I was tough.”
Asked if any teammates were aware of his issues, he said: “No, none at all. Life is thrown at you to rest your character and personality.”
Grothe admitted he turned to drugs when life was hard.
“I did cocaine pretty heavily there for a while,” Grothe said.
“I half knew what could happen if I did it too much. It’s only fleeting. When you’re coming down and lying in bed, you start thinking: ‘Why? Why did I do that?’
“Reality kicks in and it gets washed over when you think you’re going to have some more.
“It’s a terrible cycle. You feel like there’s no end to it, but there is, there always is
“I broke my family up by playing up.
“I did the wrong thing.
“I’m content now, but there are still a lot of things to fix up.”
Replies
Yes agreed. I have seen them all, Irvine, Lumsden, the greats.....the only one really challenge to him was Semi.
The best description of his pace was from Brett Kenny, who describes in a training game that he took an intercept 25 out from the line and and was 5 metres clear and Guru picked him up. Giving Kenny 5 metres over 25 tells you a lot. Nobody really knew how fast he was. Going from memory some famous sprinting coach at the time said he could have gone anywhere if he put his mind to it.....not one of Eric's strengths lol.
Most of the time he played on one leg and the descriptions he has provided in this interview come as no surprise, he was always a bit out there! The car thing with Paul Mares which Frankie has put in the heading was a big thing at the time but quickly covered up. Footballers were never renowned to have brains, and Mares and Eric demonstrated this most beautifully.
I don't think it was wise of him to admit to some of the things he says in this interview just the same, I suppose in his mind he is expelling some of his demons.
Well said Poppa and even though he's being honest I hope his openess doesn't come back and bite him in the bum. He's still got my admiration and hope he's a lot happier nowadays in knowing how much pleasure he gave to so many during his illustrious career
One of my favourite players. Gotta love the 80's. Was he involved with "Meatray-gate" also?
Eric - A champion player and one of , if not the best Winger ever to grace 1st grade. A man that displayed the utmost courage to play the way he did. Even more so now that we get to see some of your inner demons. The mind and seeing the "black dog" is a lonely path to travel, to undertstand a small snippet of what you must have gone through during your playing days, only adds to my admiration of your courage and ability. By publicly acknowledging these demons, I hope it finally frees up your path moving forward.
The amount of joy you provided to this old fella during your playing days with your on field deeds whilst wearing Blue and Gold, was immense, your highlight reels still to this day make me smile. Its now time for you to get more enjoyment out of life.
Simply one of the best and as Jack used to say. Played Strong, Done Fine.
and people wanted this guy on our board . Issues aside , it just goes to show how little thought fans put into peoples character when petitioning for our decision makers .
It was an XE Falcon, not an XF.
We need to ask Paul Mares to confirm the model. Wasn't it his car?
Yes He definitely had the X Factor!😁