Dan the man to guide Eagles
CURRUMBIN have pulled off the biggest coup of the Rugby League Gold Coast season, agreeing to terms with former NRL prodigy Daniel Mortimer.
The deal, which only became official yesterday after clearance documents were approved, is a massive boost to the 2018 minor premiers.
Mortimer was touted as the game’s next superstar after taking Parramatta to the 2009 grand final in his rookie year.
The son of former Bulldogs stalwart Peter Mortimer and nephew of NRL Hall of Famer Steve Mortimer played 128 first grade games – including 35 for the Titans between 2014 and 2016 – before finishing his professional career with Leigh in England.
Injuries forced the 29-yearold into retirement and he has since returned to the Coast, where his wife’s family live, and moved into teaching.
Mortimer, though, remained keen to pull the boots on at a local level and was linked to various RLGC and Northern Rivers clubs including Cudgen over the summer.
Currumbin have now officially won the race to his signature and Mortimer could be making his club debut in the halves as soon as this Sunday against Ormeau.
“We’re really excited to have him on board,” said Eagles president Pat Asquith, who hailed his marquee signing as a “humble” figure.
“Obviously we have lost a few of our more experienced players from last year who have retired and what Daniel will bring to the club is experience.
“But off the field it is obviously going to help us attract bigger crowds and hopefully help do a lot of other good things around the club and we’ll get him involved with our juniors where we can.
“It probably only really popped its head up as an opportunity about two or three weeks ago and it has sort of snowballed. He came and had a look at the game on the weekend against Southport.
“Hopefully he enjoys himself this year and it does become a long-term thing.”
Mortimer attended Currumbin’s modified training on Tuesday night after their main field was shut due to weather and his presence was noted.
“When he was there (on Tuesday night) a few of the boys’ eyes widened … there was a bit of a buzz around the joint,” Asquith said.
The Eagles also have exNRL forward Dayne Weston in their ranks, having transitioned from playing last year to being their A-grade head sports trainer in 2019.