Michael O'Connor vs Eric Grothe, Rd 2 1986

Round 2, 1986. Eric Grothe’s chase down of Michael O’Connor has stayed in my memory for 34 years. O’Connor, a dual international centre with scorching pace, hit the ball on the fly and had 80m of open paddock in front of him. Grothe had to change direction 180 degrees and start the chase essentially from a standstill from the opposite side of the field. And yet with all that he homed in on O’Connor like an Exocet missile. The fact that he caught him at all was remarkable, the fact that he had the strength to hold onto O’Connors shots with one hand and bring him down was unbelievable. The try itself was irrelevant, but Gurus pace was legendary!

[mikedemike]

The great Parramatta backline of late 70's early 80's use to go into Parramtta gaol and play touch against the crims..The never beat the crims who were fitter athletes then the tuesday /thursday night warriors..plus te skill level in jail is supreme.

[Holden]

It was actually a 90 metre run. I think 3 years earlier, Grothe would have had Snoz. Before his knees started to go he was arguably the fastest player in the Aussie game.

[matthewbarnes]

This was the first game eels played at the home ground

[Gamer_Avishek_Chakraborty]

Congrats for winning the t-20 world cup

[gregsmith]

Still can't get over us letting O'Connor go.
And to Manly of all f*cking clubs.