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Canterbury halfback Brett Kimmorley says Daniel Mortimer’s decision to reject overtures from the Bulldogs to remain at Parramatta will not affect a call on his own NRL future.
Veteran playmaker Kimmorley was set to to be eased into retirement had the Bulldogs secured Mortimer, but those plans were scuppered on Monday when the 20-year-old re-signed with the Eels through to the end of the 2012 NRL season.
With no obvious halfback replacement on the market, outside pricey North Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston, the odds are now shortening on Kimmorley returning for a 17th season in the top grade in 2011.
But the 33-year-old denies Mortimer’s decision will influence his.
“No not really, even if he’d come I still was having hopes of being around here as well,” Kimmorley said on Tuesday.
“It just would have meant that I would have been putting a fair bit more work into coaching Daniel into becoming a No.7 I suppose.
“We would have loved to have had him here at our club (as a member of) a family that’s created a Bulldogs legend, but also for him to create a bit of his own legend as well.
“It’s disappointing I suppose but the success that Parramatta had would have made it hard to leave.
“He’s a wonderful kid, I’ve had a small chat to him but Kevie (coach Kevin Moore) gave him a huge wrap, so it’s disappointing he didn’t come, but he’s made a decision that he best suits and I’m quite fine with that.”
Rather than be guided by what other players were doing, Kimmorley said he would let his football and body make the decision for him.
“I want to make sure I’m still playing to a good standard,” said.
“If I’m struggling for the first six weeks then I’ll realise that maybe it’s time, so I’d like to just concentrate on footy.
“I’ve always said in the past if you’re playing good footy then you get rewards.”
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