Smith aims to keep Grothe at
Parramatta

Parramatta coach Brian Smith is praying winger Eric Grothe won't be playing for anyone but the Eels next season.

Smith was unable to find the superlatives to describe Grothe's performance as he outplayed Penrith and NSW winger Luke Rooney in the Eels' 32-22 NRL victory at Penrith Stadium.

The 25-year-old scored a try, leaping high over Rooney to reel in a bomb from rookie halfback Tim Smith, and played a leading role in another for second rower Dean Widders when he made a long bust down the right touchline.

The performance is sure to put him at the forefront of the NSW selectors' minds ahead of the naming of the Blues side for the second State of Origin clash on Wednesday week, as well as bumping up his asking price when it comes to a new contract.

But Smith said the Eels were keen to lock up the winger, who is in his second stint with the club after spending two years with the Sydney Roosters.

"Eric's been in negotiations with us the last few weeks," Smith said.

"He has no desire to leave and we have no desire to lose him so I don't think he'll be going anywhere.

"Eric's having his most consistent season ever, I don't know if he's ever played this many games in a row in first grade before.

"I thought he was just dynamic. Superlatives just escape me at the moment, but it was a match-winning and at times a match-saving performance for us as well."

But Grothe, who expects the Blues selectors to stick with incumbents Rooney and Matt King for Origin II, said he may be forced to look elsewhere.

"I'm 25 now and I've got to look after myself," he said, before adding that his first choice would be to remain with the Eels.

Panthers coach John Lang, who got to witness Grothe's power game first hand, praised the Parramatta club for turning the 188cm flyer's career around.

"Eric Grothe, who's been in the wilderness for a few years, he's come back, and from what I've seen he's been playing well all year," Lang said after the match.

"It's a big step for a club when you can get a guy like that who hasn't really played much first grade in three years, to come back and play at a higher level."