Steve Mortimer

Mercurial halfback came to C’bury from Wagga in 1976 and became an inspirational captain at club and State level. However, Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer had a poor debut for NSW in 1977 and it was another four years before he was to stake his claim as the game’s premier rep halfback. A standout performer in C’bury’s semi-final loss against P’matta in 1978, Mortimer produced a champion’s match against St George in the 1979 grand final despite being in the losing side. In 1980 he played alongside brothers Chris and Peter when C’bury defeated Easts in the grand final to win the club's first premiership in 38 years. Mortimer belatedly won a Test jersey in the series against France in 1981 and after playing in two Tests against NZ the following year, was selected for the Kangaroo Tour as the No.1 halfback. However, Peter Sterling played in all Tests on tour, relegating Mortimer to the club matches, and the two players continued to duel for the Australian and NSW No.7 for the next three years. Despite a well-publicised feud with coach Warren Ryan, Mortimer captained the Bulldogs to successive grand final wins in 1984-85 and also took over the captaincy of NSW during that time. In 1985 he led the Blues to their first win in a State of Origin series but declined to tour NZ with the Australian side because of business commitments. Single-minded in his goals, temperamental and with a touch of ego and aggressiveness that all champions require, the final years of his career were clouded in acrimony. Two high tackle controversies (against Michael O'Connor in 1985 and Mark Wakefield in 1986) resulted in a nine-week suspension after he was cited for the latter indiscretion. A grand final loss in 1986 was followed by a request to leave the club for Manly but this was denied. In a troubled 1988 season under Phil Gould, Mortimer stood down as captain, suffered a respiratory complaint (Mortimer was asthmatic) and then broke his arm late in the season. His final match, as a fresh reserve in the Bulldogs’ grand final victory, was not the way he would have preferred to end a marvellous career but he retired with a then club record number of first grade matches and a host of brilliant achievements to his credit. In 2002 the Bulldogs appointed Mortimer Chief Executive after revelations of salary cap breeches. The former club great tried hard to bring credibility back to the club but after the off-field problems in a pre-season trial at Coffs Harbour in 2004 Mortimer was informed that he had lost the support of the club’s Directors (chaired by former team-mate George Peponis) and had no option but to resign. Later that year he was named in the Bulldogs’ greatest ever team as part of the club’s 70th Anniversary celebrations, but not as captain. Autobiography, Top Dog (1987).