Daniel Mortimer thriving back in the vineyard

On a cloudy October day in Orange, New South Wales, the man once considered Parramatta's next great hope in the No.7 jersey is working up a sweat straining wires in the vineyard.

It's one of many roles Daniel Mortimer now has at the family business, Mortimer's Wines, in a job which on any given day can see him go from driving a tractor through to selling product and pouring wine for customers. 

It's been a full circle move for the 33-year-old and his young family, moving back to the place where he grew up after dad Peter wound up an 11-season career with the Bulldogs in Sydney. 

"I am one of five boys, so growing up dad had his own labour force to work the vines, and we all hated the vineyard," Mortimer tells NRL.com. 

"It was hard work at that age. We all got out of it as soon as we could and chased our own dreams."

"But at the moment I am very much enjoying where this role as sales executive and cellar door manager is taking me. It’s a very diverse job and I love it." 

That work ethic built through his early years no doubt helped Mortimer in his rugby league journey, and after busting onto the NRL scene with the Eels in 2009 and helping them to a Grand Final appearance in his rookie year, he quickly became one of the most sought-after young talents in the Telstra Premiership. 

He played two further seasons with Parramatta before moving across to the Roosters, where he became an interchange specialist and played an important role in their 2013 premiership success. 

Three years at the Titans followed, before his career finished up with stints at the Sharks and UK side Leigh, with injuries ultimately contributing to his decision to retire. 

Having earned a degree in teaching during his playing career, supported through the NRL/RLPA Wellbeing & Education Program, Mortimer spent two and a half years as a high school teacher on the Gold Coast where his wife is from, before the lure of a final cameo in rugby league prompted a move back to Orange.

"I wanted to finish my career with my junior club, Orange CYMS. Two of my brothers were playing there for a majority of my career, and they were always in my ear saying ‘you’ve got to come back and have a run,'" Mortimer says. 

"So I finished where I started as a captain-coach for three years. 

My last year was this year. I have hung up the boots and am very happily retired. I'm no risk of putting the boots back on!

Daniel Mortimer

"Initially I was only meant to help out at the vineyard for a day or two each week, but I found I loved it.

"I'm not sure what the future will hold, but it's very handy having that teaching degree and there’s a lot of teaching work around.

"So whatever I am doing or if I’m ever between jobs there’ll always be teaching there at the drop of a hat." 

While happy not to be lacing up the boots anymore, Mortimer has enjoyed revisiting memories of the Eels' remarkable run to the 2009 decider, brought on by Parramatta's Grand Final appearance this year. 

"I had a lot of Eels fans touching base about the 2009 year we had when we last made the Grand Final," Mortimer says.

"I am more than happy to talk about it because it was a great memory.

"That year will always stick with me and is something I am thankful to have been part of."