Dukes of depth - Saturday 15 July 2000
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Few things are worse than a curse. The pyramid of Tutankamen. The Porsche Spyder that killed several people including James Dean. The Kennedy clan. But none of these cruel hexes can compare with the knees of triple clubbalist Chris Groom.
His early career suggested Groom was set for a mansion on Lucky Street. He was a key forward with SANFL team South Adelaide, a club without a lot of flags but a tradition of spirit and enthusiasm. The Panthers have produced champions such as Mark Naley and Mark Bickley and Nigel Smart. Groom was a big mobile kid. 194 centimetres tall and 95 kilograms. The G man was drafted as as a priority by the Crows in 1992. He alternated between the seniors and South Adelaide during his first season. But he showed promise in the 1993 round 5 Anzac Day game versus Melbourne at the MCG. Big Chris provided a moving target at centre half forward and over the second and third terms moved forward into the goal square to provide a tall marking option. He took a monster one grab clamper 20 minutes into the third. He calmly booted a 45 metre goal. Although the Crows lost 9.14 to 10.17, Groom was among Adelaide's five best. There was an evil portent when Groom jarred his knee a fortnight later. The joint took a long time to be unjarred. However he did return to play some good footy in his six other starts for the season. The following year, CG had what they like to call a big pre season. Probably beats a small one. Round 4 against Geelong at Westlakes. The Crows won 15.14 to 11.11. Groom had something written in the stars that day. Collected 15 possessions, took 7 marks and booted 2 stylish snags. Yet his knees continued to give trouble. It was as though they had smashed a mirror. Christo made five senior appearances through 1994. When fitness allowed, he played a solid brand of football for South Adelaide. At the end of '94, the Dockers stepped forward and secured Chris Groom by trading Andrew McLeod and Matthew Collins to the Crows. It was a calculated risk until the Dockers faced Essendon in a practice game, February 1995. Christopher marked and kicked well and revealed he could keep the ball in his area. Plus he slotted two majors. The curse of the killer knees finally seemed to have been lifted. In round 8, the Dockers were thrown into the compactor of Victoria Park. The Magpies won by 38 points but Groom sparkled. Took a huge mark and recorded 2 goals. Round 14 Melbourne at Subiaco. The G boy went between half forward and the forward pocket. Because of his height and agility, the Demons found him more difficult to accommodate than a noisy tenant. Two contested marks. Two majors in a total of 7.8 to the Demons 15.12. The big forward battled the knee hoodoo through the year. In 1995, the Kangaroos used national pick 26 thinking they could Groom Chris into a handy tall. He injured his knee at training early in 1996. Came back later in the season and and damaged it again. Yet the bloke bounced back to play well in the sensational 1998 round 1 game against the Eagles at the MGC. Contested all night and snapped a great goal under pressure. Roos home by 2 points with the last kick of the night. Groom was always going to be a top back up in case one of the gun key position players fell over. He performed with distiction in the twos the rest of the year. Chris G finished up at the end of 1998. 12 games with Adelaide, 7 at Freo and 5 at Rooland. Add to that handy football in the rezzies and with local teams in two states. Unfortunately the harsh jinx on those knees. |
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