Mortimer: 'I wanna be like JT'

[K2G]

By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent NRL.com 5:00pm Thu 15th January, 2015



Buoyed by the opportunity to start a season at halfback for the first time in his career, Titans half Daniel Mortimer is refashioning his game in the model of the player he most admires, Johnathan Thurston.

With heightened motivation to make the position his own, Mortimer has been drilling Titans coach Neil Henry for information about his days working with Thurston in North Queensland and the areas of his game in which he needs to improve.

Mortimer has been working closely with applied sports scientist Tim Gabbett on rediscovering the speed he says he has dropped since being used in the hooking role in three years at the Roosters but points to Thurston's competitiveness as his most admired trait.

With youngsters Christian Hazard, Kane Elgey and Jamal Fogarty the only back-up to first-choice Titans halves Mortimer and Aidan Sezer, Mortimer said that his admiration for Thurston is driving him to become the halfback his team needs in 2015.

"[Neil] has coached probably my favourite player in the game in Johnathan Thurston so if I can learn a bit off Neil and he can give me a few tips on how to play my position well it's only going to help me. You've seen the way Johnathan plays, he's quite a freak," Mortimer said.

"It's probably not a technical thing but just his competitiveness. He's everywhere and you saw against the Roosters last year in the semi-final he just didn't give up and his team fed off that and that's what I want to do with my game.

"I've never been one to give up but JT's the ultimate competitor.

"I haven't had this opportunity for a number of years to start in the halves and to really cement my spot. That alone is the most motivation I've had in a long time. I loved my time at the Roosters but this opportunity in itself, to play half and play 80 minutes, is really all I need to want to hold that spot."

The earliest in a season that Mortimer has ever worn the No.7 jersey was in his second year in the top grade in 2010 when he was paired with Kris Keating for the Eels in Round 6, going on to play 15 games at halfback that year.

Prior to his arrival at the Titans midway through last season it had been more than two years since Mortimer had been named to start at halfback but with a full pre-season under his belt feels he is now ready to lead an NRL team around the park.

"Naturally I'm a bit older and a bit more experienced now and that's ultimately the halfback's role, to steer the ship and I'm really enjoying that role so far," said the 25-year-old.

"The forwards are really jumping on board and they want to be steered and I think everyone's on the same page, which probably didn't happen last year because I was so new.

"It's great to have this time and this experience in the halves to get that confidence and get that combination with the forwards.

While taking on more responsibility within the team itself, Mortimer is also assisting in the development of the young halves in the squad as they endeavour to make the transition from under-20s to NRL.

Kane Elgey was named Holden Cup player of the year last season, Jamal Fogarty played extensively in the Intrust Super Cup on his return from a serious knee injury while Christian Hazard had an injury-disrupted year.

Despite the lack of experience in such key positions in the club, Mortimer said that the enthusiasm of the younger players is a reminder of his introduction to first grade in 2009.

"It feels not long ago at all. I can't believe I'm turning 26 this year, it felt like a year ago that I debuted," said Mortimer, who has now played 102 NRL matches for the Eels, Roosters and Titans.

"I still have very fond memories of coming up. It can be a little bit daunting for some young boys coming up and it's still quite daunting for me with some of the players I play with. The young boys are like I was I guess, full of beans and ripping into everything which is what they need to do to make it."

[shamus]

What's that famous line from the aussie movie 'The Castle'....

But good luck to him if he can get close to being as good as Thurston.

From a Titans perspective I hope he does but he is 25. If he hasn't got 'it' now he ain't getting 'it'.

[TITAN PETE]

Now this has given me a good laugh for the morning...

I'll give Morts credit when your setting Goals set them "Really High"

[Supergoose]

I'm really hopeful that we'll see the best season of Daniel Mortimer's career. There'll certainly be no excuses for him if we don't.

[Toads]

"[Neil] has coached probably my favourite player in the game in Johnathan Thurston so if I can learn a bit off Neil and he can give me a few tips on how to play my position well it's only going to help me. You've seen the way Johnathan plays, he's quite a freak," Mortimer said.

"It's probably not a technical thing but just his competitiveness. He's everywhere and you saw against the Roosters last year in the semi-final he just didn't give up and his team fed off that and that's what I want to do with my game.

"I've never been one to give up but JT's the ultimate competitor.

He got that right, I tend to think. JT is a freak and it'll be a very sad for the code the day he hangs up his boots for good.

But at least Mortimer is aspiring towards the right type of player.

[Mr Stupid]

This is kind of ironic because I read an article recently in which JT said he aspired to play like Daniel Mortimer.

[Titanic]

JT the Joker

[hammer]

Doesn't everyone want to be like JT...nothing new here...move along!

[Titanic]

I don't want his laugh.

[DavidBouveng]

the title indicates that he wants 'to be like JT', and we all laugh because JT is a natural and a freak. like Alfie, they are once in a lifetime, not going to be copied players. no way Morts can be like JT,

then you read the actual article, and its clear Morts thinks likewise, isnt claiming to be like JT, just wants to play his position really well and adopt JT's competiveness, which could be developed.

quite misleading and for people skimming headlines, leaves a odd perception off Mortimer being a 'Dreamer' as i think Shamus was alluding too.

[DIEHARD]

JT is a surreal talent. The Cowboys are so lucky to have him.

Mortimer is no JT but I am thankful to have him at our club.

[mup23]

Thought this was going to be about Morts focussing on his music and wanting to be more like Justin Timberlake