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Michael Chammas
February 20, 2012
ANTHONY MITCHELL was instrumental in bringing best friend Daniel Mortimer to the Sydney Roosters, but it's likely to come at a price, with Mortimer poised to steal his bench spot for round one.
With Braith Anasta to start the year at five-eighth, Mortimer and Mitchell are fighting for the vacant utility bench position, with coach Brian Smith admitting Mortimer's pre-season form may have just edged him in front.
''It's ironic, because Ant Mitchell played quite a role in bringing Daniel to our club,'' Smith said. ''They are really, really good mates, but that's professional sport.''
On the way back … Mortimer impressed on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
Mortimer scored a try and was successful in his goal-kicking duties against the Tigers on Saturday night, showing a few signs of building a handy combination with NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.
But despite a strong showing in both Saturday's trial and the clash against the Bulldogs at Belmore a week earlier, Smith is hell-bent on starting the season with Anasta at five-eighth.
''I thought Daniel was good again [on Saturday] but that won't change our minds with Braith,'' Smith said. ''He's not only our five-eighth but he's our captain and our goal-kicker. Morts did a mighty fine job for us in that circumstance.
''I think he might have made a pretty compelling case for a spot in our 17, not at six, definitely.''
In 2010, the year the Roosters made the grand final against St George Illawarra, Smith also started the season with Anasta at six, opting to play new recruit Todd Carney in the unfamiliar position of fullback.
However, it wasn't long before Anasta found himself back in the forward pack, with Carney taking over the No. 6 position.
While Mortimer is a natural five-eighth, Smith said it was a 26-round plan to use Anasta outside of Pearce, committed to giving his skipper the opportunity to shine in the halves.
''I don't think we'll need to play him anywhere else,'' Smith said of Anasta. ''He's like everyone else. He'll have to keep his gloves up and fight hard like everyone else for their spot every week. But I think our back row stocks are pretty good this year … Unless we got into a bit of trouble, [then] we could probably do that and then use Daniel, but I'd prefer not to be doing that at this stage.''
The Roosters have enjoyed a perfect build-up to their premiership campaign, winning their trials against Canterbury and the Tigers, but also managing to get through both matches unscathed.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall is touch-and-go for round one, still recovering from the lacerated kidney he suffered at training just over a week ago, while Martin Kennedy is in a similar position as he looks to prove he's recovered from the foot injury that ended his season prematurely last year.
Smith had a minor scare on Saturday when rookie Tautau Moga, who is set to start the season at left centre, came off in the final quarter of the trial at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
However, Smith is confident the 18-year-old will be fit to make his debut in round one against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium in a fortnight.
''Tautau rolled his ankle a little but we're hopeful it's not too bad,'' Smith said. ''That's two weeks in a row [we got through with no injuries]; hopefully that lasts all season.''
February 20, 2012
ANTHONY MITCHELL was instrumental in bringing best friend Daniel Mortimer to the Sydney Roosters, but it's likely to come at a price, with Mortimer poised to steal his bench spot for round one.
With Braith Anasta to start the year at five-eighth, Mortimer and Mitchell are fighting for the vacant utility bench position, with coach Brian Smith admitting Mortimer's pre-season form may have just edged him in front.
''It's ironic, because Ant Mitchell played quite a role in bringing Daniel to our club,'' Smith said. ''They are really, really good mates, but that's professional sport.''
On the way back … Mortimer impressed on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
Mortimer scored a try and was successful in his goal-kicking duties against the Tigers on Saturday night, showing a few signs of building a handy combination with NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.
But despite a strong showing in both Saturday's trial and the clash against the Bulldogs at Belmore a week earlier, Smith is hell-bent on starting the season with Anasta at five-eighth.
''I thought Daniel was good again [on Saturday] but that won't change our minds with Braith,'' Smith said. ''He's not only our five-eighth but he's our captain and our goal-kicker. Morts did a mighty fine job for us in that circumstance.
''I think he might have made a pretty compelling case for a spot in our 17, not at six, definitely.''
In 2010, the year the Roosters made the grand final against St George Illawarra, Smith also started the season with Anasta at six, opting to play new recruit Todd Carney in the unfamiliar position of fullback.
However, it wasn't long before Anasta found himself back in the forward pack, with Carney taking over the No. 6 position.
While Mortimer is a natural five-eighth, Smith said it was a 26-round plan to use Anasta outside of Pearce, committed to giving his skipper the opportunity to shine in the halves.
''I don't think we'll need to play him anywhere else,'' Smith said of Anasta. ''He's like everyone else. He'll have to keep his gloves up and fight hard like everyone else for their spot every week. But I think our back row stocks are pretty good this year … Unless we got into a bit of trouble, [then] we could probably do that and then use Daniel, but I'd prefer not to be doing that at this stage.''
The Roosters have enjoyed a perfect build-up to their premiership campaign, winning their trials against Canterbury and the Tigers, but also managing to get through both matches unscathed.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall is touch-and-go for round one, still recovering from the lacerated kidney he suffered at training just over a week ago, while Martin Kennedy is in a similar position as he looks to prove he's recovered from the foot injury that ended his season prematurely last year.
Smith had a minor scare on Saturday when rookie Tautau Moga, who is set to start the season at left centre, came off in the final quarter of the trial at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
However, Smith is confident the 18-year-old will be fit to make his debut in round one against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium in a fortnight.
''Tautau rolled his ankle a little but we're hopeful it's not too bad,'' Smith said. ''That's two weeks in a row [we got through with no injuries]; hopefully that lasts all season.''
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