Daniel Mortimer craves another chance to be the leading man at an NRL club, but for now the premiership-winning utility is happy to bask in the glory of being best supporting actor at the Sydney Roosters.
Before last season, Mortimer wanted out of the tri-colours after the Gold Coast Titans came to him with an offer to be their starting halfback.
But coach Trent Robinson stopped that move in its tracks and told Mortimer he considered him an integral member of his squad.
By May, he extended his contract until the end of 2015.
As it turned out, Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney went through the year injury free, and the State of Origin period was the only time Mortimer got to shine in their run-on side.
But even so, Mortimer played every match for the Roosters, walking the red, white and blue carpet all the way to a premiership ring.
Since starting at five-eighth for Parramatta in the 2009 grand final, Mortimer’s career completely unravelled before being resuscitated at the Roosters.
Mortimer might be capable of starting as a playmaker at most other clubs, but for the time being, the 24-year-old is happy to let it ride at the Roosters.
“I’m happy here playing in a successful team,” says Mortimer.
“It’s (my career) definitely been a roller-coaster and last year was just the peak.
“I’ll jump on the back of the Roosters’ success again this year and ride the wave.
“I was very keen to take up the opportunity (at the Titans). But I was under contract and Robbo said: ‘No, you’re not going. I like the type of player you are’.
“And from then on I got the feeling I was here for a reason.”
Mortimer says his role off the bench will be similar to last year, relieving hooker Jake Friend for periods during the game.
But if Origin calls again for Pearce and Maloney, or if an injury strikes, Mortimer says he’ll be ready to go.