Mortimer in no rush for Eels deal
Greg Prichard | September 23, 2009
PARRAMATTA fans will be terrified by the revelation from Daniel Mortimer's father, Peter, that the rookie five-eighth will not make a decision on his long-term future until the middle of next year.
Peter Mortimer told the Herald yesterday that there was no need for his son to rush into negotiations over a new agreement when he was already contracted to the Eels until the end of next season.
''Daniel's there to enjoy his football,'' Peter said. ''He doesn't need to worry about anything else for the time being. He's going to have to make a decision at some stage, but he won't make that decision until the middle of next year - probably June or July.''
Mortimer's father said he would never try to push his son towards the Bulldogs, where Peter and his brothers, Steve and Chris, played their careers together, and that he just wanted to make sure Daniel was happy. But that won't make Eels fans any less nervous at the realisation that the Bulldogs, whom Parramatta face in Friday night's grand final qualifier at ANZ Stadium, will get plenty of time to woo him from November 1 - when he will be free to negotiate for 2011 and beyond.
Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne would extend Mortimer's contract today, if he could.
Peter said Parramatta had done everything right by his son and that the Eels were still in the box seat to re-sign him, but added he had no problem with the Bulldogs talking to Daniel. ''Back in February, [Bulldogs coach] Kevin Moore said to me, 'We'd like to have a chat to Daniel if he becomes available','' Peter said. ''I said, 'You'll get that opportunity'.
''But the fact is Daniel is happy at Parramatta. They've been terrific to him, and at the moment you would have to think there's no reason to change things.
''All we're doing is waiting to see what happens. Things can change very quickly in football - look at Parramatta this year - and we want to make sure Daniel is in a position to realise his goals when he signs his next contract.
''Daniel is managed by Steve Gillis, and Steve has that responsibility because he is someone who is more concerned about making sure the player is successful, rather than just going for the most money. Steve keeps myself and [wife] Julie informed of everything that happens with the process. Parra will get the first and last chance to talk to Daniel, when the time comes.''
Gillis said Peter Mortimer, having played at a club that was called the ''the family club'' because of the way it looked after the players and their families, just wanted to be sure Daniel got the same care and consideration.
''Peter is a very intelligent man who has been involved in footy all his life,'' Gillis said. ''I'm very comfortable having he and his wife involved in the process. Peter doesn't want to talk the money side of things - he just wants to make sure Daniel is happy.
''I'd say that once the season is over I'll probably start talking to Parra, but, like Peter says, there is no hurry to make a decision. These things often take time to reach a conclusion, and it may well be that we decide to play two or three months of footy next year before Daniel makes a decision.
''If the Bulldogs expressed an interest in chatting with him, I wouldn't think there would be any drama in giving them that opportunity. But the way it looks at the moment, you would have to think there is a pretty reasonable chance Parramatta will keep him.''
Osborne was philosophical about having to wait to do business with Mortimer. ''I'd obviously rather move to sign Daniel sooner than later,'' he said. ''But there's not much I can do about that. I respect the fact Daniel wants to wait.
''We'll talk again in the off-season, and see where they're at. I know Daniel's happy here. He can achieve a lot, playing for the Eels.''
Mortimer is still trying to overcome a hip injury in time for the game against the Bulldogs. He was yesterday named in the team, along with centre Krisnan Inu, who has missed Parramatta's last two games with a hamstring injury.
The Eels had yesterday off, and will train late today. Mortimer is expected to gauge his progress by having a light run.
