Mortimer led NSW to their first State of Origin series success in 1985 and played more than 250 games for the Bulldogs. He was also a former teammate of Folkes.

When I’ve got to go and meet a person at the leagues club or whatever I forget things.

"Sometimes this year I might have to go down and pick up some bread, some apples or bananas or whatever. I get most of it done, but there’s some I forget unless I write it down. So that’s what I do now, I write it down all the time."

Asked if he thought repeated head knocks during his playing days had contributed to his memory loss, Mortimer said: "I do. I probably can’t say much more than that, but I can still remember the days back in Wagga Wagga [growing up].

"When I’ve got to go and meet a person at the leagues club or whatever I forget things," Mortimer said. "My local doctor put me in touch with another doctor in the Sutherland Shire. He was terrific and he said I can see in your brain that some parts are not working, but you’ve certainly got plenty of brain that will work and all you’ve got to do is look after it. These days I might forget a name.

Steve Mortimer is attended to by the trainer while playing for NSW at the SCG on June 11, 1985. Credit:Trevor James Robert Dallen

"I never [worried] during my football period, but since I’ve retired and probably when I entered into [my] 60s I started forgetting things. That was never me. I will try to fight it and I’ll be guided by the doctor who will tell me to go see this specialist."

The NRL boasts it has among the world's best concussion protocols to protect its players and is increasingly stopping matches for doctors to assess those suspected of a head injury.

Two former players, Newcastle's James McManus and ex-Eel Brett Horsnell, have launched legal proceedings over the handling of concussion throughout their careers.