Eels slip into town

JANUARY is traditionallly the heart of the cricket season but, for a few hours on Friday afternoon, Orange is set to be swept up in a blue and gold wave.

Orange CYMS junior Daniel Mortimer will headline a Parramatta Eels 30-man squad expected to showcase their skills at an open training session at Waratah Sports Ground.

Mortimer, who is entering his third year in the NRL, said Parramatta travelled to Orange in secret during their second bye of the 2010 National Rugby League season and all of the players enjoyed it.

The 21-year-old was rapt the Orange public had the chance to mix it with the Eels stars this time around.

“It’s very exciting,” Mortimer said.

“I’m very honoured to be able to bring the Eels back to my home town and give everyone in Orange a taste to what an NRL side is like.

“Everyone will be able to meet the boys and they’re all coming up.

“Hindy (Nathan Hindmarsh), Haynsey (Jarryd Hayne), they can’t wait to come back up.”

A proposed trial match between the Parramatta Eels and 2010 premiers St George Illawarra Dragons at Wade Park set to be played in February fell through mainly due to the resurfacing of Wade Park.

But that hasn’t stopped the blue and golds from continuing their association with the Colour City.

The Eels will arrive in Orange on Friday before holding an open training run at Waratah Sports Ground from 3pm and then a celebrity touch football match afterwards.

Supporters will have the chance to meet stars like Hayne, Hindmarsh, Tongan wrecking ball Fui Fui Moi Moi and Mortimer.

Mortimer was hopeful the trip would have a positive affect on some of the region’s junior players.

“I remember when the Bulldogs came up and did something similar and it meant the world to me. It really helped me,” the five-eighth said.

“Everyone will be able to see how we train and what goes into a session.”

As much as Parramatta will be coming to Orange to help promote the game in the bush, Mortimer is under no illusions that first year Eels coach Stephen Kearney is going to take it easy on the players.

“No, no. We’ll be taking things very seriously,” he said.

“It has been hard getting into training to start the year back up but so far it’s been really rewarding the last week or two.”

The Eels head to Orange as part of their new country membership drive.

Those who join the Parramatta Eels between today, January 11, and Friday, January 14, will have the chance to be a part of the celebrity touch footy game against the NRL Eels squad.

The game will be held this Friday at Waratah Sports Ground at 5pm.

The winners will be announced at 3.30pm.

Mortimer said he was pleased to see the Eels supporting country rugby league.

“We’re pushing our country membership drive. You can sign up and go to three or four games a year and your seat is reserved,” he said.

“It’s a great initiative by the club.”

The Eels will be in Orange from 3pm Friday.