Mortimer shakes 'second year syndrome'

[FUIFUI_MOIMOI]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/06/3107799.htm?site=sydney

Mortimer shakes 'second year syndrome'

Updated January 6, 2011 18:17:00

Parramatta five-eighth Daniel Mortimer is desperate to shake off a disappointing 2010 NRL season and is pleased to have said goodbye to the dreaded "second-year syndrome".

Mortimer, who burst onto the scene during the Eels' memorable run to the 2009 grand final, admits he struggled to live up to expectations in his second year when Parramatta faded to miss the finals.

But Mortimer is confident Eels fans will see his best football again this season.

"I've not heard of third-year syndrome yet, ... I might start it!" the 21-year-old joked.

"Last year was definitely more difficult than what I expected, but in saying that I learned a lot more last year than I have before in my rugby league career.

"I think I can take everything I learned last year into this year and really take this year head on and hopefully get some good results."

The 21-year-old believes a mature approach to his game will hold him in good stead in a Parramatta side keen to atone for last year's poor showing.

Mortimer was rested by coach Daniel Anderson late in the year as fatigue set in from a physically draining season, but the youngster says he learned more in the past 12 months than he did in his previous 20 years.

"That's what they say, you learn much more from the difficult times, and I've had a lot of that last year and I can't wait to put it all into this year," he said.

"I think it will come with experience... even last year it might not have been the most pleasant year but I definitely took a lot out of it.

"(The team) did have a lot of expectation and being a young half it was difficult.

"But this is my third year now so I'm really excited just to hopefully get in there and hold my spot and really set a good standard for the rest of my career.

"There's a lot less pressure and I think even the boys this year look different (in attitude)."

Mortimer also revealed that new coach, former Melbourne assistant Stephen Kearney, had compared the 174cm dynamo to the Storm's star half Cooper Cronk.

"Steve's told me we're very similar, we probably don't have all the talent in the world but we both work hard with what we have and if I was to end up to be a player like Cooper I'd be very happy," Mortimer added.

"Cooper is a great player and if (Kearney) had the same influence on me that he's had with Cooper Cronk that would be great because he's helped Cooper get to the level where he's representing Australia."

- AAP

 

[Avenger]

Looks like Morts will play 7.

 

[boxhead]

It does seem that way, but I am unsure. It could be that Kearney thinks they have the same type of mentality as a half (not necessarily a halfback). If this does mean Mortimer will play halfback though, it does raise questions as to who the five-eighth will be (I always thought Mortimer was more suited there). Presumably Robson at this stage of course.

I never really thought about this to be honest, we do have two coaches who would likely have been heavily involved in Cronk's development as a halfback (Brad Arthur and Stephen Kearney). Maybe they are looking to turn Mortimer into a similar style of halfback? Of course there are quite a few differences between the two, so I'll leave the more in-depth speculation to others.

 

[bartman]

I think Morts could develop into a very handy #9, so long asw he loses the concept that he has to be a "half".

That said, good luck to the kid if he thinks he's bringing something more to the table for 2011 than he did in 2010. The Cronk comparison could just be that Morts is the type of player that won't be the star, but as long as he has decent players surrounding him, he'll develop to the point of exceeding his own individual talents... if that makes any sense, in terms of how Cronk has benefited and developed beyond expectations or obvious "half" talents?

 

[Stagger eel]

yeah i see him as a future 9 or 14...

 

[Maroubra Eel]

for wenty

 

[Eels Dude]

Hmmmm. Interesting read. There's no way Mortimor will end up a Cronk like player. He just doesn't the basic footballing skills to do so. He could be a handy number nine or utility but it's hard to develop the skill base required to be a great halfback. Morts would go ok playing outside a dominant halfback, but even then he's limited in the 5'8th role because his playmaking skills are quite lacking.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Are we paying him about $200k per year or thereabouts?

He looked like he had potential, time to move on once his contract expires. Anyone know when it's up?

 

[Stagger eel]

Hmmmm. Interesting read. There's no way Mortimor will end up a Cronk like player. He just doesn't the basic footballing skills to do so. He could be a handy number nine or utility but it's hard to develop the skill base required to be a great halfback. Morts would go ok playing outside a dominant halfback, but even then he's limited in the 5'8th role because his playmaking skills are quite lacking.

you may turn out to be 100% correct but given that he's only had the one top grade coach who, lets face it, couldn't develop him or take him to another level, I'm not so sure, i'll be very interested to see what he can do under the guidence of Kearney and Arthur.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

you may turn out to be 100% correct but given that he's only had the one top grade coach who, lets face it, couldn't develop him or take him to another level, I'm not so sure, i'll be very interested to see what he can do under the guidence of Kearney and Arthur.

Sure Daniel Anderson couldn't make him play good. Not even Andrew Johns would be able to sprinkle magic on him.

 

[Eels Dude]

you may turn out to be 100% correct but given that he's only had the one top grade coach who, lets face it, couldn't develop him or take him to another level, I'm not so sure, i'll be very interested to see what he can do under the guidence of Kearney and Arthur.

Yeah it will be interesting indeed. What I mean overall is that coaching can only do so much. Kearney may be able to improve some aspects of his game. But really it comes down to whether he has the natural talent and ability to become a first grade standard halfback. Otherwise we'd all be running around in the Eels number 7 jersey.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

The similarities between Morts and PJ Marsh are striking. Similar attitude, similar build, similar level in skills (with PJ being superior). I always believed that PJ should have taken over from JT once he retired.

I could also see Morts turning into a Cooper Cronk style of player, which tells me we are going for a very structured style of play. Most halves could fit into the Storms system of play down there. Cooper Cronk was rated very very low by most back in 05, but he has served his purpose in Melbourne's structure very well.

Id start with Mortimer. I wouldnt shy from dropping him if ever necessary, but Id stick with him.

 

[yy_cheng]

Morz doesn't have a Cameron Smith running the show and stars like GI and Slater around him.

 

[yy_cheng]

I too believe that Mortz is a 14 and backup 5/8th.

He is not a natural in terms of timing when kicking or passing the ball.

Yes he can be manufactured into a half but when put under pressure, he doesn't have the natural ability like Prince or Benji or Hayne to get out of it so the opposition will just put pressure on him over and over.

His best asset is support play and that's what he should do now. Maybe over time he can pick up more skills but at this age, make use of his strengths first to give him confidence.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Morz doesn't have a Cameron Smith running the show and stars like GI and Slater around him.

No but Cameron Smith was developed under Bellamy and later on Kearney. Slater too. We have Jarryd Hayne and Matt Keating has always had potential. Ant Mitchell too coming up.

 

[Eels Dude]

No but Cameron Smith was developed under Bellamy and later on Kearney. Slater too. We have Jarryd Hayne and Matt Keating has always had potential. Ant Mitchell too coming up.

Cameron Smith was always going to be the next great hooker from the moment he made his debut. Obviously Bellamy assisted him in the early days, but really he was destined to be the Australian number 9 and I doubt Kearney had anything to do with developing him as a player at all. You can rely on a makeshift halfback if you have the world's best hooker, especially if that makeshift halfback has some natural playmaking talent and on top of that is an extremely smart footballer.

Every team needs structured play. Hopefully whatever structure and gameplans Kearney devises suits the squad we've got, instead of him trying to find abilities in players that just aren't there. That will be his make or break as a first grade coach. He's had a pretty easy ride so far.

 

[strider]

i have a gut feeling mortz will be quite good this year

 

[Maroubra Eel]

i have a gut feeling mortz will be quite good this year

Lets hope so.

 

[ParraAds]

Mortimer is the kind of player who feeds off the rest of the team.

If they're all playing well he tends to step it up a notch... a bit like Burt in my opinion.

Can't ever imagine him being a standout when we're struggling though.

 

[NorthShoreEel]

I think he should retire & get a job at the Terrorgraph. Let's face it - he is seen in the media more often than the horoscope's.