The 1984 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs premiership-winning winger is an obvious choice as someone who’d back the blue and whites to the hilt, however, with South Sydney “everyone’s sentimental favourite”, even the most dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog is having trouble picking a winner ahead of Sunday’s decider.

“The heart says Bulldogs, for sure,” Mortimer said.

“Any Des Hasler-coached side is going to be there at the end, and if they are then Trent Hodkinson can close out a game. I think whoever comes out early with aggressive defence will probably last the distance.

“But if the Bulldogs weren’t playing I’d be wishing for Souths to win. 

“They’ll be everyone’s sentimental favourite.”

Mortimer was part of the Canterbury side that claimed victory 6-4 in the ’84 decider over Parramatta.

It’s just one grand final appearance in an uncanny string of decider berths now in Bulldogs folklore, with the Belmore-based club fielding sides in the 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and now 2014 NRL grand finals.

“You couldn’t have put enough money on them making it this year,” laughed Mortimer, who is set to be on hand at the club’s grand final luncheon tomorrow.

“For them to be there on the fourth year of each decade is pretty remarkable.”

Making the feat even more remarkable, the Dogs have defied the odds in coming from seventh on this year’s ladder to be there on Sunday against the Rabbitohs.

Mortimer takes heart from the way his old club played when the chips were down in beating Penrith 18-12, but admits it’ll take the “unearthing of a superstar” at hooker to nullify the absence of injured skipper Michael Ennis.

“Their performance was excellent in they were able to get out to an early lead, but they were a different side when Ennis went off the field,” he said.

“They did well to defend their lead. But this weekend, it’s going to be very difficult for them.”