MORTIMER RAKING UP
DANIEL Mortimer will transform himself into hooker after realising his future lies in the No.9 jersey.
Mortimer will fill in at fiveeighth in the Gold Coast’s final home game of the season against the Dragons tomorrow afternoon before embarking on a mission to become a regular rake.
The 26-year-old started the season at halfback before suffering a wrist injury which allowed Kane Elgey to make the No.7 jersey his own.
Mortimer has played his best footy this season at dummy-half and coach Neil Henry believes that is his best chance of playing regular NRL football in 2016.
Elgey will battle with Newcastle Knights recruit Tyrone Roberts and Brisbane Broncos young gun Ashley Taylor for a halves position next season and while Mortimer can fill in, a move to hooker is on the cards.
“I’ll definitely put my hand up for it,” he said.
“I’d like to cement the same position.
‘‘ Hopefully next year I’ll be able to cement a spot and stay with it but that will all depend on injuries I think.”
Beau Falloon will move to Britain’s Super League next year meaning Nathan Friend, Kierran Moseley, Matt Srama and Mortimer will be vying for hooking duties.
Henry said of Mortimer: “With the three halves we’ve got, he knows his future is playing in that No.9 for most of the time.
“He can also be a valuable utility off the bench because he can play nine, seven or six. His kicking game and those sorts of things make him valuable.”
The Titans will finalise their preparations today with James Roberts (calf) and Luke Douglas (hamstring) needing to pass fitness tests to take their place at Cbus Super Stadium.