What’s The Buzz: Rugby league greats do lunch to help Steve Mortimer

Fierce foes on the field, but great mates off of it, a host of rugby league greats are coming together weekly to talk about old times and give an old mate a boost.

Rugby league legends are rallying around the great Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer as he battles dementia in a Sydney nursing facility.

Old opponents of the former champion halfback, who is now 65, are catching up regularly to chat about the good old days and memories from club footy, grand finals, Origin and Kangaroo tours.

“It’s really special,” said Turvey’s brother Peter Mortimer. “Once the heat of battle is over there’s nothing but respect among the players.

“That’s the great thing about rugby league, the mateship once you walk off the football field. Turvey is admired and respected across the game, not just at the Bulldogs.”

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FROM LEFT: Craig Young, Ted Goodwin, Barry Ross, Steve Edge, Aaron Warburton (CEO of Bulldogs Football club) Luke Goodwin (Canterbury football club), Michael Mortimer (Peter’s son), Ian Mortimer (Chris’ son), Daniel Mortimer (Peter’s son), Robert Finch, Steve Mortimer.

Peter Mortimer, Turvey’s son Andrew, Bulldogs welfare official Luke Goodwin and former commentator Barry Ross approached Canterbury chairman John Khoury recently about the club hosting a private weekly lunch.

It’s all about giving Turvey a break from the aged-care facility and jogging his delicate memory around footy stories from the 1980s when he was such a wonderful player and an absolute excitement machine.

Last week it was St George legends Steve Edge, ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin, Craig Young and Robert Finch.

Steve Mortimer and ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin

“Steve really sparked up hearing Albert (Craig Young) talk about old Kangaroo tours,” Peter Mortimer said. “And he could remember a lot of it. They were great times.”

This week it’s the Bulldogs’ turn with Terry Lamb, Greg Brentnall, Bob McCarthy, George Peponis and Geoff Robinson lined up for a lunch.

Then it’s Peter Wynn, Eric Grothe and Peter Sterling from the Parramatta Eels.

Steve Edge, Robert Finch, Steve Mortimer and Craig Young

“Guru (Grothe) was so proud to be invited he was nearly crying on the phone,” Luke Goodwin said.

Old Balmain Tigers Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, Benny Elias and Paul Sironen will go the following week.

Turvey even visited the SCG last week for a private lunch with independent Commission chairman Peter V’landys, Chris Mortimer and old teammate Steve Gearin, who scored the miraculous try for the Bulldogs in the 1980 grand final against Easts – arguably the most famous of all time.

Originally published as What’s The Buzz: Rugby league greats do lunch to help Steve Mortimer