With chequebooks at the ready, NRL rivals Parramatta and Canterbury have welcomed revelations from gun playmaker Daniel Mortimer that he wants his long-term playing future decided before the start of the 2010 season.
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne and Bulldogs counterpart Todd Greenberg said they were both ready to sit down for talks with the 20-year-old – who comes off contract with the Eels at the end of the year – at any time.
After initially indicating he would wait until midway through the season to make a decision on his future beyond 2010, Mortimer said he now wanted a deal done before kick-off in a bid to ward off the possibility of second-year blues.
And according to Mortimer there are only two clubs in the hunt – Parramatta and the Bulldogs – the club at which the Mortimer name was made famous thanks to the deeds of his father Peter and uncles Chris and Steve.
“I agree that finalising a decision is probably a good thing for all parties,” Greenberg told AAP.
“I think it’s important for him and for us that these things don’t drag on.”
Asked whether the club was in a position to table an offer, Greenberg said:
“We haven’t done that yet but we will look to do that in the coming couple of weeks.”
While the appeal of turning out for the Bulldogs is obvious, Osborne said Parramatta were confident of retaining a player they had nurtured into the top grade.
Osborne said there had been ongoing talks with Mortimer’s manager Steve Gillis, but denied the club would rush the youngster into making a decision.
“I just want him to concentrate on footy – we’re not worried whether it’s before round one or not before round one,” Osborne said.
“We’re just waiting to hear back from them – we’re ready to talk to them now.
“We’re pretty confident he’ll stay. Obviously he likes the place.”
Gillis refused to confirm the round one deadline, but intimated his star client was ready to step up talks.
“I think there’s a possibility things could move forward sooner rather than later,” Gillis said.
“We’ve spoken to Parramatta – we’ve discussed in a roundabout way where we’re at but there’s nothing concrete. Nothing’s going to happen overnight.”
Nick
Guest
Rod, Parra are a great club, and as a Dogs man I love to beat them and hate them with a passion! And I know you Parra lads love to throw out the bred not bought effort based on a single game against the roosters, but we all know clubs, including yours (Poore, Shackleton, Tahu) target great players no matter where they are. As for juniors, the Dogs are very strong there and like many clubs, lose a lot of juniors to those clubs who don't have many of them at all (Roosters etc). As for Parramattas club championship....I tell you what, ask around and you'll find few give much of a crap about that, and a helluva lot more about winning NRL competitions! Hence why players are bought. By the way, appreciate Willie Tonga (for the one good year) and Andrew Ryan, thanks lads!
Rod
Roar Guru
Hasn't Parramatta won the Club championship 17 times and 7 in a row in the last decade?
Rod
Roar Guru
lol dogs. I'd put my money on Parra over the Dogs any day in regards to breeding juniors ;)
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
All clubs buy players. Well in the NRL they do. Breed plenty though, only have to look at the Flegg and Harold M victories we had last year to see that.
Rod
Roar Guru
Bred not bought. Ha!! :)
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Although Mortimer would be nice to have for the name, I really think we already have the right 5/8th at our club in Ben Roberts who has taken some time to develop, and we are now seeing the fruits of our labour. Much prefer to steal Mateo off them, so hopefully we can force up the price on Mortimer, and steal Mateo for a song!