Grothe joins sick Eels

PARRAMATTA'S mystery illness has claimed another victim with winger Eric Grothe the latest Eel to be hit by the virulent bug.

Eight Eels players took ill just hours prior to Sunday's loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast, with halfback Tim Smith and centre Ben Smith still struggling to return to full health.

Coach Michael Hagan today confirmed Grothe had also been hit by the bug which has claimed most members, including staff, of the Eels club. All players will be monitored in the lead up to Saturday night's home game against the Sydney Roosters.

Of particular concern is Tim Smith, the 22-year-old shedding up to three kilograms from the vomiting and diarrhoea associated with the virus. "There's some real issues in just trying to get some fluid and nutrition into (the sick players) at this stage,'' said Hagan.

''(Tim Smith) is not overly big as a halfback but a couple of kegs (kilos) makes a difference when you're playing our game. We think they're getting better but nowhere near what they normally would be. We've got another couple of days for them to recover.

"Nathan Cayless is feeling a bit better than he was earlier in the week and we've now got Eric Grothe that missed today's session and has a similar problem.''

Hagan said he would give all his ill players until Friday before making a decision on whether to replace them for the important Roosters clash.

The Eels have lost two games in succession while the Roosters appeared to turn the corner with last week's win over St George Illawarra. "We will give them to Friday at this stage,'' he said.
"All indications are they're feeling better and they will be a lot better than they were last week.''

Centre Ben Smith said the illness was the worst he had experienced and was amazed players were able to play at all last week.

"I've never felt so sick in my life, and certainly not so quickly,'' he wrote in his column posted on the Eels website.

"There was absolutely no way I could play on Sunday, in fact by the time I got to the ground I was that crook I literally could not stand up without assistance - I was so weak and fragile.

"Even though the bug hit the team really hard we are not going to use that as an excuse for our performance. Someone said after the game it is a reason rather than an excuse.''