Daniel Mortimer’s NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters wasn’t spectacular but boy did he do a great job for his coach Brian Smith in a tough and thrilling local derby triumph over South Sydney.
Mortimer only found out he was starting the match on the morning of the game at ANZ Stadium.
The Parramatta discard stepped in at five-eighth for captain Braith Anasta and also took over the goalkicking duties.
He slotted four from four, set up a try and made 27 tackles, putting his body on the line time and again against a massive Rabbitohs team in the 24-20 victory.
The visitors snatched the game in the dying seconds with Anthony Minichiello scoring a try which Mortimer converted to give them a win after trailing by eight points with three minutes remaining.
Mortimer, 22, said he was delighted just to get the call-up.
“It was one of the best wins I’ve been part of. To get two tries in the last couple of minutes to seal it was amazing,” Mortimer said.
“Brian basically told me this morning. I got the call at about 10 o’clock and I saw Smithy on the phone and I didn’t know what it was for and he said I’m in. I was fist-pumping the air after that.
“We can definitely improve. We got dominated in that second half but the boys really worked hard for each other and got the result.”
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Souths scored three unanswered tries in the second half, threatening to make a comeback. However, Melbourne quickly snuffed it out.
