Latest news with #SteveMortimer
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NRL world saddened over 'horrible' revelation about Bulldogs hero Steve Mortimer
NRL fans are sending well-wishes and expressing their sadness for Steve Mortimer over devastating new details in the Canterbury Bulldogs legend's sad plight. Mortimer was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and is now in a care home. The 68-year-old played 272 games for the Bulldogs across a legendary career, winning four premierships with the club and captaining them in the 1984 and 1985 title victories. He also played 16 State of Origin games for NSW and nine Test matches for Australia. The legendary halfback led the Blues to their first Origin series victory in 1985. However the Bulldogs and Blues legend was been battling the effects of dementia for nearly a decade, and this weekend his family shone a heartbreaking new light on his condition - four years after it become public knowledge. Mortimer's beloved Bulldogs are first on the NRL ladder after 12 rounds in 2025, but son Andrew isn't sure his father is aware. "It's is a shame because they are absolutely killing it," Andrew told the . Andrew revealed his father struggles to complete full sentences, and is slowly declining. "I don't know whether dad is thinking of something but can't articulate it, or he's not thinking it, but there's not much verbally, unfortunately," he said. 'I would say he's on a slow decline. I'm sure people who see him a few months apart, or a year, would see significant change. He is seemingly calm, somewhat at peace with the situation and probably somewhat oblivious. 'I would suggest that he's probably at the stage where he's observing life around him, rather than fully participating. We know that you don't get cured from dementia. You don't improve so, for us, it's quality of life. We try to take the approach: 'what he can do', not 'what he can't do'." Mortimer was moved into a dementia ward in 2022, and his extended family visit him multiple times per week. They take him on regular outings, which often includes watching footy. The devastating new details come on the 40th anniversary of Mortimer's famous triumph in the 1985 Origin series. Fans and pundits have flooded social media with messages of support for Mortimer after learning the new details of his plight. Commentator Arthur Stanley wrote: "I worked with Steve in his role as Ambassador at Stadium Australia for many years. Never met a more decent family." One Bulldogs fan wrote: "Turvey is why I'm a Bulldog, heartened to know he has wonderful love and support." Another wrote: "Beautiful man. I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times. It's so sad to see this at his age. My mother in law is going though the same thing, it's a horrible disease." RELATED: Roosters flip Origin debate on its head as Shark banned for ugly act Legend's Origin call backfires as Manly flops expose grim DCE truth Another commented: "What a horrible disease. Turvey is a Bulldogs legend and is handling this like one." While another message read: "As an opposition fan I couldn't help but admire Steve Mortimer. His battles with Slippery Morris were always incredible. It's so sad to read about his dementia battle but his family are clearly wonderful and caring; it must be so tough to witness the deterioration though." Absolute legend 👏🏾 he'd even come and shake my hand and say G'day to me when I was working in the tunnel on game day cc @AndrewMortimer — Mo Ali (@Makbulldog) May 25, 2025 As an opposition fan I couldn't help but admire Steve Mortimer. His battles with Slippery Morris were always incredible. It's so sad to read about his dementia battle but his family are clearly wonderful and caring; it must be so tough to witness the deterioration though. — Martin (@hammersaint) May 24, 2025 I knew his father Ian as the leader of the Wagga Police Boys Club, played against Chris Mortimer as kids, and then worked with Steve in his role as Ambassador at Stadium Australia for many years. Never met a more decent family. — Arthur Stanley (@Art_Stanley_) May 25, 2025 What a horrible disease. Turvey is a Bulldogs legend and is handling this like one 🙏🏻❤️ — Alice (@Aliceh_1936) May 24, 2025
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
NRL legend's son opens up about his dad's harrowing battle with dementia
The son of rugby league legend Steve Mortimer has opened up about his dad's ongoing battle with dementia, revealing the footy great now struggles to complete a full sentence. Mortimer, 68, was diagnosed with the brain disease at the age of 60 having taken countless knocks during his illustrious playing career. He now lives in a nursing home to receive the full-time care he needs. Affectionately nicknamed 'Turvey, Mortimer's condition has progressively impacted his memory and everyday life to the point where he struggles to remember his brilliant football career. His family visit him several times a week, with the beloved husband, father and grandfather now living in a childlike state. 'It's hard to know exactly what dad is thinking,' son Andrew told News Corp while on an outing with his dad. 'But we go through it, don't we, dad? I don't know whether dad is thinking of something but can't articulate it or he's not thinking it but there's not much verbally, unfortunately. 'I would say he's on a slow decline. I'm sure people who see him a few months apart, or a year, would see significant change. He is seemingly calm, somewhat at peace with the situation and probably somewhat oblivious. 'My reading of (dad's cognitive condition) is that he's taking in part in what's happening around him but processing that, and then articulating or engaging in a conversation, is close to impossible. 'I would suggest that he's probably at the stage where he's observing life around him, rather than fully participating. We know that you don't get cured from dementia. You don't improve so, for us, it's quality of life. We try to take the approach: 'what he can do', not 'what he can't do'. 'His body language is more or less the same as at any point in his life, as in the warm approach dad always had with everyone. He has never been a man of status. He has always been reasonable, fair and available to anyone and everyone.' When asked if Steve can complete a full sentence, Andrew replied: 'Unlikely'. Mortimer, who won three premierships with the Bulldogs in the 1980s and led the NSW Blues to their first ever State of Origin series win against Queensland in 1985, is sadly probably not aware of the success Canterbury are having this year. 'I don't think so,' Andrew revealed. 'Which is a shame because they are absolutely killing it. 'But we watch the games, either at his home or if we're out-and-about, we will grab a beer or coffee and watch the game, usually at one of the local bowling clubs in and around Revesby, or a cafe. But, as time goes on, not so much. It is what it is.' In 2023, Mortimer's wife, Karen, and their kids Andrew, Matt and Erin, shared when they begun to question whether something was wrong with him. 'He was often misplacing things like his keys, wallet, and phone,' Erin said. 'It was his struggle to find easy words like car, remote, and TV. He'd often get frustrated when he couldn't find the word, and be hard on himself. 'His paranoia and constant asking where mum was and then forgetting only a short while later to then ask again, was telling.' Andrew was running a small business with his father, but noticed he was writing longwinded emails and the incoherence of those messages raised alarm bells. Matt noticed changes in his dad that seemed uncharacteristic for him. 'I'm like: you're ageing really quickly, something's off,' he said. For Karen, a trip to London in 2019 was when she noticed her husband was in trouble. The couple had visited the city many times before but when going to fetch a coffee, he took an hour and a half to return. Mortimer told his wife: 'I got lost'. During Covid lockdown, Erin said: 'It was a horrible time for everyone but around this time we watched him spiral even more. 'They were complete mood swings which would come out of nowhere, and his attitude towards mum, and Andrew would worsen. 'It was very hard to watch on occasions. We learnt how to work with them, and not against them, sometimes with the assistance of dad being given medication.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NSW Blues' historic Origin series win turns the tide for women's rugby league
When the tide turns for NSW it seems to happen in torrential rain. Forty years ago, when the Blues men's side finally beat the Maroons to clinch a first State of Origin shield, the image enshrined in history was NSW captain Steve Mortimer sinking to his knees in the SCG mud and bellowing sweet victory to the heavens. Now, in another downpour, the Blues women's side have made their own history in the slop of a Sydney stadium. Having endured the catastrophe of letting a 1-0 series lead slip last year, NSW made no so much mistake this time, ruthlessly putting Queensland to the sword to win Game 2 by 26-6 and claim a first Women's Origin series decided across multiple matches. Advertisement Related: NSW Blues wrap up Origin series with rain-soaked win over Queensland Maroons This was redemption writ large. The Blues' win was marshalled by a red-hot halfback whose Origin debut as a teenager in 2023 had been soured by a controversial axing last year. Yet under new NSW coach John Strange, the now 20-year-old Jesse Southwell stole the show, defying the pouring rain to have the ball on a string connected to her kicking feet and magic hands all night. Queensland just couldn't unpuzzle her. Of course, every maestro pulling the strings needs a troupe of trombones in kahoots. Southwell had several warhorses galloping off her hip all evening. Veteran forward Simaima Taufa has 10-years frontline experience. The 30-year-old says very little off the field but her actions spoke loud at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, charging at the Maroons like a Sherman tank. Olivia Kernick was right by Taufa's side. Still with a point to prove after being overlooked for the Australia Test team despite winning the 2024 NRLW Dally M Medal, the Tweed Heads lock was adjudged player of the match for a mighty performance which included two powerful tries, 236 running metres and 35 tackles (no misses) in a dominant showing in the middle. Advertisement To call Yasmin Clydsdale a warhorse would be too obvious. The 31-year-old teacher from Newcastle gave up a fulltime job at Scone Grammar to chase Origin glory. And when the series was there to be won, Clydesdale was every inch the thoroughbred. This trio of power athletes battered the Maroons until they broke into 13 pieces. The synergy between these Blues warriors was all the more incredible for the fact they have had no NRLW games to tune up for the toughest challenge in the game. Instead, 'Doctor' Strange and his brilliant coaching assistant Ruan Sims – a former Wallaroo, Jillaroo, Origin legend and junior gumboot throwing champion – had to knit their side in training drills and team camps. Strange told them a successful tackle was no longer enough. Sims told them they must win every collision, every moment. Queensland barely fired a shot all night, although they led 6-0 early when Tamika Upton scrambled over in pursuit of a kick. Even that seemed an anomaly. Upton didn't celebrate and nor did her teammates. So certain were the Maroons that the ball hadn't been grounded, they retreated to their half. When the Bunker gave a green light they looked slightly embarrassed. Last year, Queensland did what Queenslanders do. They fought back from a Game 1 pummelling and a six-point deficit at halftime in the sequel to squeak a series-equalling victory from a Lauren Brown field goal. Shocked, the Blues blinked first, heading to Townsville and watching the series snatched away in a 22-6 drubbing. Advertisement Related: State of Origin success shows women's rugby league deserves to stand tall on its own | Ruan Sims This series win is also a victory for women's rugby league who needed a light on the hill after being cut from the NRL's Las Vegas showcase in 2026. Apparently the Jillaroo's 90-4 win over Great Britain in March wasn't a good look for a game trying to crack the US. The solution for 2027 came subtle as a thunderclap last night: Origin. Take women's State of Origin to America and rugby league stands a chance of stealing a march on rugby union who are staging Rugby World Cups in the US in 2031 (men's) and 2033 (women's). Although the 15-a-side game has the edge at international level, the provincial grudge matches are where the NRL can echo NFL tribalism and thrive. For now, let the rain fall because the names of NSW's heroes won't be washed away. Like Mortimer and his ragtag band back in 1985, the 2025 Blues can rise knowing history has been made and a dynasty is there to be built in years to come. Hell, if they bring the storm to Vegas, they may even blaze a trail across the world.
