Chris Mortimer
Encyclopedia
Chris Mortimer is an Australian former professional rugby league
player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers
, New South Wales
and for the Australian
national side.
Chris Mortimer was the youngest of the three famous brothers to play for Canterbury during the late 1970s and 1980s. Glen Mortimer the 4th brother played 26 first grade games for Cronulla between 1983-87 after starting out in the Bulldogs lower grades.
Mortimer played 192 first grade games for Canterbury between 1978-87. He was a member of the Canterbury Premiership winning teams in 1980, 1984 and 1985 and played in Canterbury's Grand Final losses in 1979 and 1986.
Mortimer played for Penrith between 1988–90 and his final game for the Panthers was in the 1990 Grand Final and has long been regarded as the best and most important signing made by Penrith.
Mortimer also enjoyed success at representative level playing eight matches for NSW in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1986. Mortimer played one Test against Papua New Guinea in 1986 and was a member of the undefeated Kangaroo Tour
squad. His toughness, steel and defence were all very important during NSW's State of Origin series victories in 1985-86 with the 1985 triumph captained by brother Steve.
Regarded as one of the toughest centres during his career, Mortimer enjoyed great success against champions such as Michael Cronin
, Mal Meninga
and Gene Miles
in the big matches.
Chris and his two older brothers Steve Mortimer
and Peter Mortimer
played in four Grand Finals together. Peter was a non-playing reserve in 1986 due to injury and only Steve was around when the 1988 Grand Final was played. No pair of brothers, yet alone trio of brothers have played in four Grand Finals together in the last 30 years. Steve and Chris ended up playing in five Grand Finals together. All three Mortimer brothers are Life Members of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Football Club.
After retirement Chris Mortimer has kept a low profile in the game whereas brothers Steve and Peter have had stints in Administration.
On 24 October 2000, Chris Mortimer was recipient of Australian Sports Medal
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
, New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and for the Australian
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
national side.
Chris Mortimer was the youngest of the three famous brothers to play for Canterbury during the late 1970s and 1980s. Glen Mortimer the 4th brother played 26 first grade games for Cronulla between 1983-87 after starting out in the Bulldogs lower grades.
Mortimer played 192 first grade games for Canterbury between 1978-87. He was a member of the Canterbury Premiership winning teams in 1980, 1984 and 1985 and played in Canterbury's Grand Final losses in 1979 and 1986.
Mortimer played for Penrith between 1988–90 and his final game for the Panthers was in the 1990 Grand Final and has long been regarded as the best and most important signing made by Penrith.
Mortimer also enjoyed success at representative level playing eight matches for NSW in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1986. Mortimer played one Test against Papua New Guinea in 1986 and was a member of the undefeated Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
squad. His toughness, steel and defence were all very important during NSW's State of Origin series victories in 1985-86 with the 1985 triumph captained by brother Steve.
Regarded as one of the toughest centres during his career, Mortimer enjoyed great success against champions such as Michael Cronin
Mick Cronin (rugby league)
Michael William "Mick" Cronin OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a goal-kicking centre for the Australian national team and a stalwart for the Parramatta Eels club. He played in 22 Tests and 11 World Cup matches between 1973 and 1982...
, Mal Meninga
Mal Meninga
Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century...
and Gene Miles
Gene Miles
Gene Miles is a retired Australian rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre, he played his club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership before joining the Brisbane Broncos whom he captained.-BRL:A...
in the big matches.
Chris and his two older brothers Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer OAM, , nicknamed Turvey after Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where he hailed from, is an Australian former rugby league halfback. Mortimer played a Canterbury-Bankstown club record 272 first grade games between 1976–88. Mortimer's two younger brothers Peter and Chris...
and Peter Mortimer
Peter Mortimer (rugby league)
Peter Mortimer is a former Australian professional rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs and New South Wales....
played in four Grand Finals together. Peter was a non-playing reserve in 1986 due to injury and only Steve was around when the 1988 Grand Final was played. No pair of brothers, yet alone trio of brothers have played in four Grand Finals together in the last 30 years. Steve and Chris ended up playing in five Grand Finals together. All three Mortimer brothers are Life Members of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Football Club.
After retirement Chris Mortimer has kept a low profile in the game whereas brothers Steve and Peter have had stints in Administration.
On 24 October 2000, Chris Mortimer was recipient of Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
.
See also
- Mortimer brothersMortimer brothersThe Mortimer brothers are Rugby league footballers from Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia: Chris Mortimer, Peter Mortimer and Steve Mortimer...