BOOM playmaker Aaron Groom insists personal reasons - rather than a falling out with the Bulldogs - are behind his decision to quit the NRL to take up a contract with a lowly second-division English club.
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The Fijian half was a star of last year's World Cup and appeared to have a bright future in the NRL after making six first-grade appearances last year. But with the world seemingly at his feet, the 21-year-old, part of the top-25 squad, stunned the Bulldogs when he asked for a release to join National League battlers Sheffield Eagles.
"People have speculated there must be something wrong at the Bulldogs, that it may have been because they brought in Noddy [Brett Kimmorley] and [Michael] Ennis - it's got nothing to do with that," Groom said.
"My partner is from Sheffield, so it will be ideal … There's nothing bad about the Bulldogs; I was enjoying pre-season … It's [also about] how I'm going with footy."
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
