ManlyBacker
Winging it
North Sydney have identified rising Parramatta five-eighth Daniel Mortimer as their marquee player as the club pushes for inclusion in the 2013 NRL premiership.
The Bears have asked Mortimer, off-contract at the end of this year, to sign a new two-year deal - ensuring he is available for the 2013 season.
Norths coach David Fairleigh confirmed his club's interest in one of rugby league's hottest young players.
"We want to build a team around Daniel - we'd like him to be our marquee player," Fairleigh said.
"We hope he signs a new two-year contract and that would allow us to have a shot at him after the 2012 season.
"We most definitely have an interest in Daniel. We want players here with the right character. He comes from a terrific family and is a level-headed kid."
Mortimer is tipped to remain at Parramatta until the end of 2012 despite interest from his father Peter's former club, Canterbury Bankstown.
"Ultimately it would be Daniel's decision but, as I said, we would be delighted if he only signed a two-year deal," Fairleigh said.
"It's important in your first few years for your club to be successful."
Mortimer's manager Steve Gillis said Mortimer had not yet decided his immediate or long-term future.
"It is flattering the Bears have made their intentions known," Gillis said. "They plan to be up and running by 2013 and have told me they want Daniel as their marquee signing.
"I'm sure we will take their thoughts into consideration as we move forward."
Parramatta may attempt to block out the Bears by signing Mortimer to a three-year contract.
Fairleigh said his club's bid for inclusion was gathering momentum daily. "Everything is going really well. We have made some more corporate signings," he said.
"We have a whole group of former Bears fans who want to get behind us and also have a core of Central Coast fans who will support us. They are the next generation.
"Both groups are happy to get behind us."
The Bears have asked Mortimer, off-contract at the end of this year, to sign a new two-year deal - ensuring he is available for the 2013 season.
Norths coach David Fairleigh confirmed his club's interest in one of rugby league's hottest young players.
"We want to build a team around Daniel - we'd like him to be our marquee player," Fairleigh said.
"We hope he signs a new two-year contract and that would allow us to have a shot at him after the 2012 season.
"We most definitely have an interest in Daniel. We want players here with the right character. He comes from a terrific family and is a level-headed kid."
Mortimer is tipped to remain at Parramatta until the end of 2012 despite interest from his father Peter's former club, Canterbury Bankstown.
"Ultimately it would be Daniel's decision but, as I said, we would be delighted if he only signed a two-year deal," Fairleigh said.
"It's important in your first few years for your club to be successful."
Mortimer's manager Steve Gillis said Mortimer had not yet decided his immediate or long-term future.
"It is flattering the Bears have made their intentions known," Gillis said. "They plan to be up and running by 2013 and have told me they want Daniel as their marquee signing.
"I'm sure we will take their thoughts into consideration as we move forward."
Parramatta may attempt to block out the Bears by signing Mortimer to a three-year contract.
Fairleigh said his club's bid for inclusion was gathering momentum daily. "Everything is going really well. We have made some more corporate signings," he said.
"We have a whole group of former Bears fans who want to get behind us and also have a core of Central Coast fans who will support us. They are the next generation.
"Both groups are happy to get behind us."
