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Sport news first.com.au
By Nathan Ryan
15 February 2012 01:34PM EST
DANIEL Mortimer’s uncle, legendary halfback Steve Mortimer, believes his nephew may be the missing spark the Sydney Roosters have been looking for.
While he covered for Anthony Minichiello at fullback in last Sunday’s Back to Belmore clash against the Bulldogs, Steve believes Daniel’s versatility will be a giant gain for the Roosters.
“The Roosters saw him as a great player of diversity,” Steve Mortimer told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.
“He can play hooker, in the halves and fullback and you need those areas as a catalyst and Daniel can do that, he can create and trigger things off.
“Daniel’s got the great attitude so he’ll be good in any position.”
Having played just nine games for Parramatta in 2011, Mortimer took a pay-cut in order to accept a two-year deal with the Bondi-based club and save his career.
The move has not only given him a fresh start but reignited his passion for the game.
“Last year was a little bit frustrating but this fresh start I feel like I’ve moved up from Orange again,” Daniel Mortimer said.
“I’m ready to play footy again and give it absolutely everything. It helps having new faces and new coaching staff to try and impress.”
Last week’s trial was just his second time in the number one, having played there in an Under 17’s Australian School Boys game.
With incumbent NSW Origin fullback Minichiello at the club, Mortimer has been all ears when the custodian has offered any advice.
While he has been moved into a number of positions at training, Mortimer is finding the custodian’s role more enjoyable as the weeks roll on.
“Fullbacks becoming more like a six each year in attack,” he said.
“I could never see myself therein the past but after being put there and having a few runs there it did feel quite comfortable.”
Joining the tricolours on a two-year deal, the 22-year-old has been afforded the re-birth he had desperately needed.
The instructions from coach Brian Smith has been simple with the mentor looking to capitalise on Mortimer’s utility value.
“He has basically told me if I can cover quite a few positions competently then I am an asset to the team,” Mortimer said.
“He has trained me at both halves, hooker and fullback and I’m hoping to be competent enough in those positions to play as many games as I can this year.
“I’ve been feeling in a lot of roles so hopefully a utility role this year but we still are a few weeks out from the comp and a few trials away so I’m not 100 per cent sure where my place will be if I have a place.
“I’m just putting myself in the best possible position I can with the more positions I can cover the more valuable I am to the team.”
By Nathan Ryan
15 February 2012 01:34PM EST
DANIEL Mortimer’s uncle, legendary halfback Steve Mortimer, believes his nephew may be the missing spark the Sydney Roosters have been looking for.
While he covered for Anthony Minichiello at fullback in last Sunday’s Back to Belmore clash against the Bulldogs, Steve believes Daniel’s versatility will be a giant gain for the Roosters.
“The Roosters saw him as a great player of diversity,” Steve Mortimer told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.
“He can play hooker, in the halves and fullback and you need those areas as a catalyst and Daniel can do that, he can create and trigger things off.
“Daniel’s got the great attitude so he’ll be good in any position.”
Having played just nine games for Parramatta in 2011, Mortimer took a pay-cut in order to accept a two-year deal with the Bondi-based club and save his career.
The move has not only given him a fresh start but reignited his passion for the game.
“Last year was a little bit frustrating but this fresh start I feel like I’ve moved up from Orange again,” Daniel Mortimer said.
“I’m ready to play footy again and give it absolutely everything. It helps having new faces and new coaching staff to try and impress.”
Last week’s trial was just his second time in the number one, having played there in an Under 17’s Australian School Boys game.
With incumbent NSW Origin fullback Minichiello at the club, Mortimer has been all ears when the custodian has offered any advice.
While he has been moved into a number of positions at training, Mortimer is finding the custodian’s role more enjoyable as the weeks roll on.
“Fullbacks becoming more like a six each year in attack,” he said.
“I could never see myself therein the past but after being put there and having a few runs there it did feel quite comfortable.”
Joining the tricolours on a two-year deal, the 22-year-old has been afforded the re-birth he had desperately needed.
The instructions from coach Brian Smith has been simple with the mentor looking to capitalise on Mortimer’s utility value.
“He has basically told me if I can cover quite a few positions competently then I am an asset to the team,” Mortimer said.
“He has trained me at both halves, hooker and fullback and I’m hoping to be competent enough in those positions to play as many games as I can this year.
“I’ve been feeling in a lot of roles so hopefully a utility role this year but we still are a few weeks out from the comp and a few trials away so I’m not 100 per cent sure where my place will be if I have a place.
“I’m just putting myself in the best possible position I can with the more positions I can cover the more valuable I am to the team.”
surely that's 1 reason why we signed Mortimer.
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