Eels Blogs

Mortimer's biggest problem

Posted by Hish on September 12, 2010 at 3:02pm

Watching the tigers game last night I was paying extra attention at benji's game. It took 15 minutes for him to make a tackle and he was second man in. The way players like Ellis protect him in defence is great. Do you think his attacking game would be as good if he had to do the tackling morts does in each and every game. Mateo has got to be the worst defensive lock going around. Morts was targeted in defense all year until the poor bloke had to be rested. DA should of seen how teams were targeting him and moved him to defend beside someone like Ben smith and not left him out in the open between tahu(always running out of the line) and Mateo who just can't tackle. So in my opinion the coach and team could of done alot to help him with his attacking game.

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Replies

Ricky September 12, 2010 at 3:17pm

Definitely would alleviate some of the defensive pressure on Mortimer, that's for sure, so overall, it's not a bad idea at all.

Question is whether such an idea is implemented at some stage, whether that is at the start of the year or during the season.

On the whole though, I think Mortimer will be better in 2011.
Hish September 12, 2010 at 4:01pm

DA needs to get out of his glass box and sit with his bench, grow some balls and make some calls.
anthony September 12, 2010 at 4:04pm

thats right if you look at 2009 you would find he was doing less tackles they targeted morts and hayne because thats the only strike weapons we had.
Hish September 12, 2010 at 5:25pm

If you were a 75kg half making 30-40 tackles a game on average 100kg opposition would you have the mindset and energy to play. Where were your complaints last year when he was popping up in everything. Morts needs to improve his kicking game and put on some size and watch him next year.
Jpav September 12, 2010 at 6:09pm

anderson has gambled his coaching career at parra on morts. big call
Hugo September 12, 2010 at 6:20pm

Of the basic skill set Morts -
1. Isnt quick off the mark
2. Doesnt put anyone through gaps
3. Cant throw a pass longer than 3 metres
4. Cant kick the ball further than 30 metres
5. Cant organise the players around him.
6. Cant bust tackles because he is so small

What he does have is -
1. Tenacity
2. Courage

That is Morts biggest problem - he just doesnt have the basic skills to be a NRL player at the top level.
Either you have it or you dont. At this level many are called but few make it.
There is no doubt whatsoever that Daniel was given a rails run due to his surname.
I believe that he will play mainly on the bench in 2011 and will not be re signed by the eels.
He will then go to someone like the Sharks and then fade away.

We can dress it up in any clothes we want but it wont change what is there.
pat tap September 12, 2010 at 6:24pm

mortimer is poo full stop has no vision what so eva n putting on 10kgs to bulk up is not going to help his already non existent footwork... i hope da pulls rabbit out of his hat so mortimer can develop something worthwhile in his game he offers nothing at the moment
Contender September 12, 2010 at 6:44pm

It's not morts fault. It's 100% DA's fault. Either we sack him or miss the finals again in 2011.
Jpav September 12, 2010 at 6:55pm

great comments wish the coach had your smarts
My Bob September 12, 2010 at 6:55pm

How is it DA's fault that Mortimer is deficient in the "Born to you skills". DA can't create a star out of Mortimer. Read Fatheads post above, then ask yourself which one of these skills could a coach create in a player.
Again it would be great if Mortimer "makes it" but this is not a fairy tail and life isn't fair, It is what it is!