Arguably the greatest Bulldog to ever walk through the gates at Belmore Sportsground – Steve Mortimer is synonymous with the Canterbury-Bankstown club.

Mortimer burst onto the scene in 1975 as part of the Riverina team in the Amco Cup. The Wagga Wagga junior put his future club Canterbury to the sword in midweek contest and was quickly signed by Peter Moore.

Ironically Mortimer was born in Yagoona, a stone’s throw from Bulldogs headquarters. But the Mortimer family moved to Wagga in 1961 due to young Steve’s asthma – his parents were worried about his health growing up in the polluted Sydney air.

The classy halfback played under fellow Canterbury legend and captain George Peponis in 1980 where the Dogs defeated Eastern Suburbs in the Grand Final 18-4 where Mortimer starred with three try-saving tackles. By 1984, he was the undisputed leader and skipper of the club and a mainstay of both Australian and New South Wales squads. Mortimer’s Bulldogs would go on to win the ’84 decider against fierce rivals Parramatta 6-4.

1985 would be an even better season for ‘Turvey’ as the Blues won their maiden State of Origin series. The images of Mortimer post-game in the series-clinching match at the Sydney Cricket Ground are some of the most famous shots in rugby league history. Mortimer’s poise led the Bulldogs to another premiership at the end of ’85 downing St. George 7-6.

Mortimer would appear in a third consecutive grand final in 1986 but the Bulldogs couldn’t pull of the three-peat as the Eels saw retiring club legends Mick Cronin and Ray Price off with the ultimate prize.

The little playmaker broke his wrist in round 21 of the 1988 season and was desperate to make it back onto the field as the Bulldogs qualified for the grand final against Balmain. With the match well in hand, Mortimer was put into the action by Coach Phil Gould with his arm heavily strapped. Fittingly, he took the final tackle of the game.

He played 272 games for the Bulldogs, 16 for New South Wales in total and 9 matches for Australia.

Mortimer is also a former CEO and board member of the club he loves most.