News ‘The boys got a huge kick out of it’: Steve Mortimer’s special visit to inspire Bulldogs

djdeep4172

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One by one they passed, and each gave a greeting to perhaps the best Bulldog of all.
The public appearances are rarer these days, which means that when they do come, they are cherished. But even to the youngest pups, Steve Mortimer is a man you can’t walk past without conveying your warmest wishes.
On Saturday night after a shock win against the Roosters which might have just saved their season, the Bulldogs paid tribute to one of their favourite sons.

They brought Mortimer into their dressing room at Accor Stadium to celebrate the team song at the end of their six-game losing run, even undergoing the relevant COVID-19 tests to allow for the special occasion.

Never has an old face meant so much in a winning dressing room.

Phil Gould might have started a week of headlines, but Mortimer was the one the Bulldogs really listened to in a quiet corner when the ink had finally run dry on the training drama.

“It was great to see him,” Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett said. “We haven’t seen a lot of him lately because of his health, but I think it not only means a lot to us, but it’s good for ‘Turvey’ as well.

“All of our players are welcome back at the club and it was good that we could get a win, and such a good win, while he was at the ground. Everyone is aware of who he is and what he’s done for the club. The boys get a huge kick out of it when he’s around.”

There’s always been a natural charm about Mortimer, who was diagnosed with dementia last year. His physical health hasn’t been the best, with a heart attack and pneumonia towards the end of 2021 followed by a bout of bronchitis.

His old teammates and rivals have gathered around tables for long lunches to spark his memories of battles on the field and frivolity off it, just enough for a weekly break from his Sydney nursing home.

This time his mere presence might spark the modern-day Bulldogs, some players almost 45 years his junior, as they try to climb out of the NRL cellar.

If any of them can achieve only a fraction of Mortimer’s three premierships and honour of leading NSW to its first State of Origin series win, then they would have had satisfying careers.

“He still enjoys getting out to the footy and the good thing was that everyone who came through the door, from current players to others, all took the time to say g’day,” said Mortimer’s son Andrew. “It was fantastic.”

The Bulldogs will likely have their own skipper Josh Jackson back from isolation in time for the trip to Canberra to take on the struggling Raiders on Friday night.

Jackson missed the win over the Roosters after contracting COVID-19, which also kept four players out of Canterbury’s team for the loss against the Broncos.
 

Blueandwhiteblood1968

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One by one they passed, and each gave a greeting to perhaps the best Bulldog of all.
The public appearances are rarer these days, which means that when they do come, they are cherished. But even to the youngest pups, Steve Mortimer is a man you can’t walk past without conveying your warmest wishes.
On Saturday night after a shock win against the Roosters which might have just saved their season, the Bulldogs paid tribute to one of their favourite sons.

They brought Mortimer into their dressing room at Accor Stadium to celebrate the team song at the end of their six-game losing run, even undergoing the relevant COVID-19 tests to allow for the special occasion.

Never has an old face meant so much in a winning dressing room.

Phil Gould might have started a week of headlines, but Mortimer was the one the Bulldogs really listened to in a quiet corner when the ink had finally run dry on the training drama.

“It was great to see him,” Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett said. “We haven’t seen a lot of him lately because of his health, but I think it not only means a lot to us, but it’s good for ‘Turvey’ as well.

“All of our players are welcome back at the club and it was good that we could get a win, and such a good win, while he was at the ground. Everyone is aware of who he is and what he’s done for the club. The boys get a huge kick out of it when he’s around.”

There’s always been a natural charm about Mortimer, who was diagnosed with dementia last year. His physical health hasn’t been the best, with a heart attack and pneumonia towards the end of 2021 followed by a bout of bronchitis.

His old teammates and rivals have gathered around tables for long lunches to spark his memories of battles on the field and frivolity off it, just enough for a weekly break from his Sydney nursing home.

This time his mere presence might spark the modern-day Bulldogs, some players almost 45 years his junior, as they try to climb out of the NRL cellar.

If any of them can achieve only a fraction of Mortimer’s three premierships and honour of leading NSW to its first State of Origin series win, then they would have had satisfying careers.

“He still enjoys getting out to the footy and the good thing was that everyone who came through the door, from current players to others, all took the time to say g’day,” said Mortimer’s son Andrew. “It was fantastic.”

The Bulldogs will likely have their own skipper Josh Jackson back from isolation in time for the trip to Canberra to take on the struggling Raiders on Friday night.

Jackson missed the win over the Roosters after contracting COVID-19, which also kept four players out of Canterbury’s team for the loss against the Broncos.
My favourite player of all time, I loved his cover tackle, chip and chase.
 
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