Eels star Daniel Mortimer to play NSW Cup for Wentworthville
* By Christian Nicolussi
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* August 18, 2010 12:00AM
THE spectacular fall of young Parramatta halfback Daniel Mortimer has reduced him to playing for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup on Sunday.
Rather than lead the resurgent Eels in the NRL at a packed Parramatta Stadium against Wests Tigers, Mortimer will be a few kilometres away at Ringrose Park guiding the Wenty Magpies against Central Coast.
Mortimer was not named in the Eels squad yesterday and club officials failed to offer any explanation as to why the little No. 7 - battling second-year syndrome - was left out for a second week.
Many believed Mortimer would return to the bench after being "rested" from Friday's Brisbane encounter.
But newcomers Anthony Mitchell and Taniela Lasalo were instead retained by coach Daniel Anderson.
The Daily Telegraph learned last night that Mortimer will play for Parramatta's feeder club in the second-tier competition - and there is every chance he could be joined by Shane Shackleton.
Shackleton was the big off-season recruit who lasted just a few minutes in Parramatta's opening game before he tore his hamstring from the bone.
"Morts will play for Wenty this weekend, but he won't be named because the club isn't keen on any publicity. They've had plenty in recent weeks," one source said.
"There's also the chance of Shackleton playing, but he might not be back for another week."
