Decision time arrives for Mortimer, Ennis
GREG PRICHARD AND CHRIS BARRETT
March 5, 2010
DANIEL MORTIMER, the hottest young property in rugby league, has gone away to the Riverina for the weekend to make the biggest decision of his life.
Mortimer will pick between the club that gave him his chance, Parramatta, and the club his father, Peter, and uncles Chris and Steve played for: Canterbury. The Bulldogs are in player-signing mode with their star hooker, Michael Ennis, set to extend his current deal and commit himself to the club for the long term.
The Herald learned yesterday that negotiations on Mortimer's future had gone much further than had been revealed publicly. Though it had seemed talks would drag on past the start of the season, the Eels five-eighth is now ready to make a call.
Asked if he could confirm a decision on Daniel's career was imminent, Peter Mortimer said: ''That is the case. Daniel is going to make a decision before the start of the season, out of respect to the two clubs. He doesn't want it to drag on and distract Parramatta, or keep the Bulldogs waiting.
''Daniel has already left for Wagga [Wagga], to spend the weekend with Chris and his family. It will give him the chance to catch up with his cousins, speak to some more people he respects and make a decision. It's a big decision, but Daniel knows it's time to make it. My wife, Julie, myself and Daniel will meet with his manager, Steve Gillis, some time next week. Daniel will tell the clubs what he has decided before Parramatta play their first game.''
Parramatta will kick the season off with a blockbuster game against St George Illawarra at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.
Mortimer is contracted to the Eels until the end of this season, and his new deal with either club is expected to run for two years.
Peter has been careful not to let his Bulldogs ties put any pressure on his son. Asked what advice he had given Daniel, his father replied: ''I told him to do what he feels is best for him.''
