Daniel Mortimer discusses Gold Coast NRL career in this week’s Lost Titan feature

HIS final season in Gold Coast colours delivered the club’s most recent playoff appearance but Daniel Mortimer says the highlight of his Titans stint did not come on the field.

Brent O’Neill

2 min read

August 21, 2019 - 2:00PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

NRL

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HIS final season in Gold Coast colours delivered the club’s most recent playoff appearance but Daniel Mortimer says the highlight of his Titans stint did not come on the field.

Signed from the Sydney Roosters midway through 2014, Mortimer spent two-and-a-half years with the Titans, including the 2016 campaign that was curtailed with a 44-28 semi-final loss to Brisbane.

But having undergone season-ending hamstring surgery in May that year, the 30-year-old utility signed off on his Coast career in Round 7 with just 10 wins in 35 games.

LOST TITAN - CLINTON TOOPI

It’s those numbers that make deciding on the most memorable moment a difficult assignment.

“It’s a hard one, we weren’t too successful. We did make the finals one year but that’s when I had my major injury,” Mortimer said.

“Just the lifestyle, that’s probably the part that I enjoyed the most. It was a well-balanced lifestyle. You have got so much stuff to do at your doorstep (on the Coast) and it adds to being able to get your mind away from football.

LOST TITAN - DAVID HALA

Daniel Mortimer in action for the Titans in 2014. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

“The place is obviously amazing and it was a really good bunch of boys. I have still got a few good mates that I catch up with frequently.

“Anthony Don and Ryan James are probably the two I’m still quite close with. Through those boys I’ve met quite a few of the current crop.

“I hope the boys do well because I know what it’s like to go through a tough season. I’m sure they will turn it around.”

LOST TITAN - BRENTON LAWRENCE

A member of the Mortimer family synonymous with the Bulldogs, Mortimer burst onto the scene with arch rivals Paramatta in 2009 before injuries and a dip in form sparked a switch to the Roosters in 2012.

He then found his way to the Titans and made a two-game cameo with Cronulla in 2017 before two seasons with Leigh Centurions in England.

LOST TITAN - LEVA LI

Mortimer at Rugby League Gold Coast club Currumbin. Picture: Tim Marsden

Now settled back on the Glitter Strip and working as a PE teacher at Pimpama State Secondary College, Mortimer has also slipped back into footy with finals-bound Rugby League Gold Coast outfit Currumbin.

“I was playing professionally up until the end of last year and had no real plans to play at all really. But then off-season goes by and you start to miss footy again,” he said.

LOST TITAN - MATT SRAMA

“(Coach) Ryan Gundry asked me to come down to one session and I just felt like I was back playing bush footy in my teenage years. It’s been good. You have got to keep fit somehow.”