Daniel Mortimer has taken the first steps in reviving his stalled NRL career at the ground where the family legend first took root, starring in the Sydney Roosters' 28-16 trial win over Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.
Mortimer was banished to park football by Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney early last season and failed to make it back to first grade before being shown the door and landing at the Roosters.
The stand-out rookie of the 2009 season accepted the lifeline on a modest deal in the knowledge there were no guarantees at Bondi.
But after scoring a try and playing a major role in the Roosters' impressive five tries to four win over the Dogs, Mortimer was rapt to get his career kick-started at a ground where his father Peter and Chris and Steve began the family dynasty 30 years ago.
"To score my first try for the Roosters at Belmore is pretty special," Daniel said at fulltime.
"It's excellent playing here. It's a great place with great feelings."
"My dad and uncles have told me so many stories about it."
"It is a fresh start for me. I've got a new coach and it's a new feeling and I'm looking forward to it."
Mortimer spent time at fullback and five-eighth during the second half and impressed coach Brian Smith with his touches and composure.
"We're still using him as utility player and he got a bit of time at 6 and 1 and did pretty good," Smith said.
The Roosters led 10-6 at the break after both sides used primarily lower grade players before showcasing their NRL talent after the interval.
The visitors pulled away at the back-end of the game to leave the majority of the 12,000-strong crowd disappointed on a day where rugby league returned to Belmore for the first time since 1998.
The Chooks were without a host of frontline players, including Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello, and Smith was particularly enthused by the performance of his youngsters.
"I am encouraged (by the young players). They shocked me a bit of where they're at," Smith said.
"That gives us a bit more encouragement that we might have a bit more depth."
"It was a good, hard trial and the boys did it pretty well."
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, who received a warm reception from the Belmore faithful, had less to be happy about but wasn't perturbed by the result.
"It was our first hit out and we used 25-30 players and there were some good signs," he said.
"It was just a trial. I thought both sides were pretty tidy."
"Today was about getting back out there and having hit out."