Mortimer is a must

Extending rookie sensation Daniel Mortimer's contract long-term has been identified by Eels chief executive Paul Osborne as his priority during the off-season.Mortimer, who is the son of former Canterbury star Peter and the nephew of internationals Steve and Chris, has established himself as one of the game's great hopes with his class and natural ability.His flawless off-field demeanour suggests he may also be one of the NRL's young ambassadors.The five-eighth was an integral part of Parramatta's valiant charge to an unexpected grand final berth this season.Osborne, who returned during the week from a humanitarian trip to Rwanda where he and a number of Parramatta players worked in a village for widows of the genocide of 1994, said Mortimer was at the top of his ''to do'' list.Osborne said: ''We've started chatting. I've spoken to his family and I've touched base with his manager. Even though he still has a year to run on his deal, Daniel is a very important signing. I want him to be part of the future of this club.''We are in a situation where the likes of Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Luke Burt are all coming to the end of their careers and it's important we get that same sense of belonging among our younger players.''Jarryd [Hayne] has signed on long-term and it's important, I think, to add Daniel Mortimer to the list. He comes from a great family and is a wonderful example on and off the field. He's just a great kid and a club needs to keep that type of player.''The Eels, who return to training tomorrow, feature a host of bright young talent who showed in the latter stages of this season that they could form the nucleus of a team of premiership ''dominators'', like Melbourne and Brisbane.Osborne is adamant the likes of Mortimer, aged 20, Hayne, 21, bench prop Tim Mannah, 21, Krisnan Inu, 22, and Matt Keating, 23 will be galvanised by the grand final experience.Mortimer's reaction after the grand final loss, when he declared the Eels were ''on the verge of something special'', would suggest that his heart is with the blue and gold.''We've got a lot to celebrate this year,'' Mortimer said in the vanquished team's dressing room. ''It's disappointing to lose the grand final, but it was a good year overall.''We've got a good future. We've learned a lot about what it takes to win a grand final, and I think we're on the verge of something special at Parramatta.''The Eels have recruited strongly for next season, with forwards Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton and centre Timana Tahu reinforcing the squad.

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Replies

JustanOpinion November 8, 2009 at 1:05pm

i hope we secure him, Mateo, Inu and Moi Moi for at least another 3 years. All these players are a big part of our future and they are just outstanding.

It's funny I was speaking to a friend of mine who is a 1st grade touch judge and he was telling me that Daniel may sign for a few more years but just when he is at his peak he will go to were his true heart lies at the Doggies. I so hope he is wrong....
1Eyed Eel November 8, 2009 at 3:27pm

TBH, I don't know if I'd be committing to a kid on a big long term contract at this stage. You really want to see them perform in their second year of footy, when opposition teams have worked them out before you say yes, this is someone we want to see in our side long-term. Considering how top heavy our salary cap is becoming we're straying into danger territory where you really can't make any signings, that don't turn out how you want them.
YDIDISAYIDO November 8, 2009 at 5:44pm

Obvious article... i really hope feleti is a prioirty too.
mika November 8, 2009 at 8:38pm

(Y) i love you daniel mortimer
Tim November 8, 2009 at 10:57pm

Young kids are being extremely overrated these days though. Mortimer was a breath of fresh air and provided some creativity and potency in attack for the Eels, but he is talked up wayyyyy too much by people on here and the media. He is solid, and could well be a star in the future, but you can't pay him hundreds of thousands a year for something that may not pay off until he is older.

Lots of halves take a while to develop as a game, I agree with 1eyed, give him another year, stay in talks with him throughout the time, and pounce sometime next year if he shows the goods.
- blueNgold > Tim November 8, 2009 at 11:05pm
  
  +1
  
  Mortimer was great for us in the back end of the year, he played a sort of "pocket rocket" role which just involved him roving and using his small stature to his advantage. He also showed that he has a great head on his shoulders.
  
  However I want to see him for another full season before I make judgement on him. I want to see that he has the ability to be a ball player, something that he hasn't demonstrated so far.
  
  I have high hopes for him, but we have a lot of talent coming off contract next year, I just hope that the club doesn't rush with their signings and make the right call's.
ELECTRIFYING MAXFORCE EELS 2014 November 9, 2009 at 2:29am

eels will lose more than reputation if they let morts go , we know how great his uncle steve was against sterlo , but these days their is no sterlo so lets keep the mort
ELECTRIFYING MAXFORCE EELS 2014 November 9, 2009 at 2:30am

mortimer at 26-27 years old whatch out , he is premiership winning material
Michael Ericson November 9, 2009 at 10:06am

Mortimer has a fantastic running game and a huge amount of tenacity - which obviously runs in the family.

BUT he hasn't shown that he is capable of assuming a geniune playmakers role just yet. That is ok if we are going to be satisfied with our fullback and our lock forward continuing to set up all of our big plays but I think that there is a feeling that we have to get more value in that area out of our halves in the future if we are going to be a consistent and reliable team.

Having said that he can still develop those skills no doubt.
Garry Euston November 9, 2009 at 12:03pm

Sign him up long-term. I think that Daniel Mortimer would be an ideal captain in a couple of years down the track - as he displays tremendous confidence and is so well-spoken, apart from his on-field skill. He displays a lot of the attributes of Peter Sterling at his stage of his career.