Where are they now? A look back at Parramatta's 2009 grand final side
Devastated Eels players after losing 2009 grand final
Jarryd Hayne and Eels teammates cut devastated figures after their 2009 grand final loss to the Storm.
This group would never recapture the magic that catapulted them from an eighth place finish at the end of the regular season, into an unexpected decider.
Fullback: Jarryd Hayne
Everything that Parramatta did in 2009 was built around their superstar fullback, who relished the big moments on their charmed run to the grand final, and collected the Dally M Medal in the process.
Hayne was crowned the game's best player for the second time five years later, before walking away from rugby league to attempt to make it in the NFL. He returned to the NRL in 2016 with the Gold Coast Titans, before finishing his career back where it started two years' later.
Last year, Hayne was found guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, before walking free on appeal. He is currently awaiting a third trial.
Wing: Luke Burt
The beloved winger spent his entire first grade career in blue and gold, finishing his career as the second-highest scorer in the club's history behind Mick Cronin.
Burt worked in various coaching roles at the Eels after retirement, before moving to the Gold Coast Titans to become an assistant.
He served as the Titans' co-coach for the final eight games of the 2019 season after Garth Brennan was sacked, and currently works as the club's Partnerships Manager.
Centre: Krisnan Inu
The livewire outside back enjoyed eight seasons in the NRL, although had the unfortunate honour of losing a grand final with each of the three teams he played for, coming up short in the decider three times in four years; first with the Eels, then the Warriors in 2011, and the Bulldogs in 2012.
After making the switch to the Super League in 2015, Inu has played for a variety of clubs in England and France and is currently on the books at Leigh, in England's second tier.
Centre: Joel Reddy
The son of the great Rod Reddy was a popular figure at the Eels, Wests Tigers and Rabbitohs, playing two games for City Origin as well.
Reddy eventually tasted premiership glory with Souths in 2014, although he wasn't in the game day squad.
He worked in the health and performance industry after retirement, and is currently in a management role with a medical devices company.
Wing: Eric Grothe Jr
Explosive on his day, the winger's career was often derailed by injuries, only reaching double digits for tries three times in his 11-year career - one of which came in 2005 when he was also named as Dally M winger of the year.
He's found success as a podcaster and musician since hanging up the boots, while also running a marquee business along with his father.
Five-eighth: Daniel Mortimer
Then a rookie, Mortimer would only spend two more seasons in an Eels jersey before stints with the Roosters (where he won a premiership), Titans, and Sharks, eventually ending his career in England with Leigh Centurions.
Mortimer became a teacher after his playing career ended, and is this weekend hosting a grand final event at his family's winery in Orange.
Halfback: Jeff Robson
The hard-working halfback debuted with Manly in the mid-2000s, and only debuted with the Eels midway through the 2009 season, having started the year playing for the Wentworthville Magpies.
He went on to play for the Sharks and, briefly, the Warriors before finishing his career with the Eels in 2017.
Robson is back with the Sharks now, as a welfare officer.
Prop: Nathan Cayless
The captain of the team, the New Zealand international spent his entire career with Parramatta, racking up 259 first grade games before retiring in 2010.
He worked in the coaching ranks at his old club, as well as the Roosters and Warriors, and is now an assistant at the Wests Tigers.
Hooker: Matthew Keating
Another who spent his entire first grade career with Parramatta, the gritty hooker debuted in 2008 and remained with the club until 2013, when he was part of the now-infamous 'projector 12' that were let go by Ricky Stuart in his one year at the club.
Keating worked on the Burleigh coaching staff after playing with the Queensland Cup team in 2014, and then more recently with Tweed Coast Raiders.
