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David Riccio
The Daily Telegraph
August 26, 2013 9:23AM
Mortimer, who is enjoying the best season of his career at the Sydney Roosters, credits his good mate Robson as the catalyst to his career revival.
Four years may have passed, but the pair remain close contacts, their bond remaining just as tight as what they shared as Parramatta halves during the 2009 grand final.
With his game time slashed under former Eels coach Stephen Kearney in 2011, Mortimer made the decision to take up a cut-price deal at the Roosters last year.
But not before speaking with Robson, who had already decided to pack his bags from Parramatta and head to the Shire.
"I was at Parra with Steve Kearney the year before and late in that year he was playing others in the halves, so I kind of got the gist that I wasn’t wanted under him so I started to look around and Brian Smith (former Roosters coach) gave me an opportunity," Mortimer said.
"I took a bit of encouragement from someone who I’m really close to, Jeff Robson.
"Before 2009 he had played six games (with Manly) but he came to Parramatta and turned his career around and went onto play in a grand final.
"He was great to speak too about making your own opportunities. We’ve all seen where he’s gone too and what’s he’s been able to achieve at Cronulla. He’s playing terrific footy."
Mortimer has played all 21 games straight this season, a feat only teammates Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jake Friend have managed to achieve at the Roosters.
In his breakout season, when he helped the Eels to the grand final, Mortimer played 18 matches.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shown tremendous faith in the 83kg utility, using him wisely from the bench as a utility and dummy-half.
But Mortimer’s individual success could also come at cost to the Roosters, with a get-out clause featuring in his current deal. It was a trigger that Robinson was only too happy to include in Mortimer’s contract, knowing that in the halves is where the 24 year-old sees his future.
"Ultimately, I would love to play in the halves and right now at the Roosters that isn’t possible, which I totally understand and I’m so appreciative of Robbo for the opportunities he’s given me," Mortimer said.
"I’m so impressed with the faith he’s shown in me that if an opportunity did arise with another club, that he wants only the best for me."
Tonight’s clash at Remondis Stadium shapes as the match of the round, with the high-flying Roosters chasing nine straight wins against a Sharks outfit confident of rebounding from their 40-0 nil thrashing handed down by the Chooks only a month ago.
On that night, Cronulla had a host of stars sidelined including Robson, Paul Gallen, Michael Gordon, Luke Lewis, Ben Pomeroy and Beau Ryan.
David Riccio
The Daily Telegraph
August 26, 2013 9:23AM
Mortimer, who is enjoying the best season of his career at the Sydney Roosters, credits his good mate Robson as the catalyst to his career revival.
Four years may have passed, but the pair remain close contacts, their bond remaining just as tight as what they shared as Parramatta halves during the 2009 grand final.
With his game time slashed under former Eels coach Stephen Kearney in 2011, Mortimer made the decision to take up a cut-price deal at the Roosters last year.
But not before speaking with Robson, who had already decided to pack his bags from Parramatta and head to the Shire.
"I was at Parra with Steve Kearney the year before and late in that year he was playing others in the halves, so I kind of got the gist that I wasn’t wanted under him so I started to look around and Brian Smith (former Roosters coach) gave me an opportunity," Mortimer said.
"I took a bit of encouragement from someone who I’m really close to, Jeff Robson.
"Before 2009 he had played six games (with Manly) but he came to Parramatta and turned his career around and went onto play in a grand final.
"He was great to speak too about making your own opportunities. We’ve all seen where he’s gone too and what’s he’s been able to achieve at Cronulla. He’s playing terrific footy."
Mortimer has played all 21 games straight this season, a feat only teammates Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jake Friend have managed to achieve at the Roosters.
In his breakout season, when he helped the Eels to the grand final, Mortimer played 18 matches.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shown tremendous faith in the 83kg utility, using him wisely from the bench as a utility and dummy-half.
But Mortimer’s individual success could also come at cost to the Roosters, with a get-out clause featuring in his current deal. It was a trigger that Robinson was only too happy to include in Mortimer’s contract, knowing that in the halves is where the 24 year-old sees his future.
"Ultimately, I would love to play in the halves and right now at the Roosters that isn’t possible, which I totally understand and I’m so appreciative of Robbo for the opportunities he’s given me," Mortimer said.
"I’m so impressed with the faith he’s shown in me that if an opportunity did arise with another club, that he wants only the best for me."
Tonight’s clash at Remondis Stadium shapes as the match of the round, with the high-flying Roosters chasing nine straight wins against a Sharks outfit confident of rebounding from their 40-0 nil thrashing handed down by the Chooks only a month ago.
On that night, Cronulla had a host of stars sidelined including Robson, Paul Gallen, Michael Gordon, Luke Lewis, Ben Pomeroy and Beau Ryan.
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