Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith believes Daniel Mortimer will thrive during the 2012 NRL season after putting his year from hell with Parramatta behind him.
Mortimer moved to the Roosters at the end of last season having been frozen out by Eels coach Stephen Kearney less than two years after helping the side to a grand final.
It was a remarkable fall from grace for the 22-year-old, who turned his back on a big-money move to Canterbury in 2010 to sign a lucrative deal with the Eels, only to end his career with the club playing NSW Cup for Wentworthville.
The writing was on the wall for Mortimer in round 24 when Kearney opted to move Jarryd Hayne to five-eighth to cover for the injured Jeff Robson rather recall the young playmaker.
Smith said he’d been impressed with the character Mortimer has shown since signing and believes his versatility will be a big plus to the Roosters.
“He’s a guy trying to rebuild his career after what must have been a tough year for him to endure,” Smith said.
“From day one he never looked like he lost confidence. He saw it as a new opportunity and has fitted in straight away.”
Mortimer scored a try in the Roosters’ trial win over Canterbury at Belmore on Sunday where he started the game as fullback and spent time in the halves and at hooker.
Smith hinted that he may fill a utility role this season but didn’t rule out using him again as a rake.
“He’s played five-eighth and half and although dummy-half was a bit new to him, he played quite a bit of it at Parramatta without wearing the number nine,” he said.
“In the 2009 season where they did well he did a lot of his best work out of dummy-half.
“We’re excited about what he brings to our crew, he gives us a bit of variety and he’s an outstanding young bloke and as good a trainer as I’ve seen.”
The Roosters will play their final trial match before their season kicks off against South Sydney on March 5 against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Saturday.
They will be without Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who’s recovering from a lacerated kidney sustained in training last week.
Smith admitted its’s likely to keep him out of the round one clash with Souths, but is confident giant prop Martin Kennedy will be fit.
However, Kennedy, who missed the second half of last year with a foot injury, will miss the Tigers game due to an abductor problem.