Mortimer wants to play half back and the club looks set to make him the centre of their attack going forward if he commits to the club.
While he may not start the season at half - I've been told Jeff Robson is still likely to be named there for the opening round - you will see Mortimer play a lot of first receiver and the longer term halves combination is likely to see Daniel partnered with Kris Keating, who will return to his junior position of five-eighth. We'll likely play with a fairly fluid halves combination to start the season with Keating coming off the bench but getting a fair bit of time rotating with the halves.
Mortimer's future will be sorted out before the start of the season, with the Dogs offer expiring next week. An article in the Sydney Morning Herald today said that Mortimer had headed away for the weekend to make a final decision.
That article said a two-year deal was on the table but I'm still hearing there is a chance it will be a three-year contract as the Eels look to lock in a lot of their future structures around Mortimer and Hayne.
With Mortimer at seven, Parramatta have a number of options at six with Keating and Mateo (both of whom are off-contract), newcomer Tom Humble as well as current halves partner Jeff Robson.
If Mortimer does sign with the Eels, the Dogs are likely to throw big money at Mateo and will also target Keating as a halves option later in the season.
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However saying that they are quite similar players, so I doubt it would make a great deal of difference. Especially when neither of them will be the focal point of attack anyways, while we have Hayne and Mateo in the team.
Sorry bit of a lash out i know bout the financial issues and fair trade crap and all that, but im just sick of hearing about my squad gettin ripped apart because scum like the dogs cnt build a team of their own and the season hasnt even started.
Thats footy at the moment i know but, seriosuly hate the doggies.
And yes mortimer should b a half back. KK at 6. hopefully he is resigning with us because he wants to be an eel and not because its just easier for him. If he want to be a dog. Then go be a dog.
Just a question if anyone knows. cheers
Remember years ago we did the same to the doggies we almost bought there whole forward pack.......Pay,Dymock and Mccraken.
Would love to see Morts in the 6 - KK in the 7 and Mateo in the 13....with Hayne in the number 1 and our forward pack!!! we have no excuses not to win a comp!!!
Lets hope Parra didn't pay to much for Mortimer, who i really like and think is a great future talent, and are still smart enough to hold onto one of the most exciting players in the comp.
Please Parra coaching and officials, don't loose Mateo!!!
Mateo isn't a future star, he is already and only getting better?
Compare that with our Cayless, Hindmarsh, Grothe, Hayne, Inu, Mateo, Mannah, Mitchell, the Keating boys, Reddy, Wright, Mortimer (despite his Dogs lineage, he started with us), Brendan Oake and Ben Smith! And now consider all our juniors running around for other clubs!
I understand the point of the salary cap is to keep the comp even and keep clubs from going broke, but it doesn't seem that the NRL do enough to compensate the teams that generate the players which drive the league. I don't see how it is fair to allow clubs like the Roosters or Manly (who do nothing for Rugby League) to be in complete parity with clubs like Parramatta, St George and Penrith (who produce and nurture most of Sydney based Rugby League talent).
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