On a chilly Monday evening in Penrith, there were four constants: the Roosters’ shoddy defence, Blake Ferguson’s perennially worrisome kick returning, Nathan Cleary’s ability to do whatever he pleased around the try line, and Latrell Mitchell’s lack of involvement.
The Tricolours’ 18-year-old has been a rare bright spark in a season where the reigning minor premiers find themselves languishing on the bottom rungs of the NRL ladder.
However, as the Roosters found themselves trailing by an insurmountable margin – once again – Mitchell cut a periphery figure on far right edge.
The number of involvements featuring the No.5 could almost have been counted on one hand, as the Panthers attacked time and time again, exploiting holes in defence inside the youngster.
As fellow youngsters Connor Watson and Ryan Matterson failed to make their mark on the match in the halves, it was tough watching a man as skilled as Mitchell not allowed any time with the ball in hand.
The Roosters have long been playing for pride rather than any competitive prize this season, so coach Trent Robinson should play around with his stuttering side.
With Mitchell Pearce a late withdrawal for the game at Pepper Stadium, and Connor Watson failing to produce much in the 6 jersey, it would have been nice to see Mitchell given license to create with the ball in hand.
Muzz
Guest
What? Mitchell doesn't have "severe attitude issues" He's been moved to the wing(where he should've been playing all year) and the Roosters have signed Gordon because young Latrell Mitchell is the worst defensive FB in the comp. He is also playing busted ATM. The kid has an enormous future. His attacking instincts are freakish however that is just part of a fullbacks role.
Muzz
Guest
This is T Robinson's 4th season as head coach. He's won 1 comp and 3 minor premierships. I think he can coach!
Art Vandelay
Guest
The entire side has been misfiring and it certainly is the coaches fault.
Muzz
Guest
Mate, Guerra is a disgrace! I wish he would fa rk off back to Queensland. His form has nothing to do with the coaching staff and has finally been relegated to 18th man.
Art Vandelay
Guest
Read again I only said there form has remarkedly dipped meaning this year. Guerra was one of there best last year
Pete bloor
Guest
You know he coached prior to this year right hard to say Guerra, for example, has worse form under Robinson
andrew
Guest
He has had more strapping on him than a mummy for most of the year. it was time to give his body a bit of a rest, so they have moved him from fullback to wing. He could still be more involved, but the decision appears to be purely preservation possibly with a view to him having to learn to play there ahead of Gordon coming to the club next year..
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Attitude issues or he's a 19 year old with an already questionable leg and short on the running stamina for fullback in the top grade? Giant fullbacks don't last long, and he's already struggling with lateral movement -- perhaps his future is in the forwards when he fills out a bit...
Art Vandelay
Guest
Robinson's decisions and coaching are the problem. Hasting, Latrell, nikorima all have suffered under his watch. Ferguson, Moa, Guerra, JWH, Friend are just a few whose form has remarkably dipped. His forwards haven't delivered enough and beginning the year with a rookie 6,7 and 1 he tried to play the same style with completely different cattle. His nurturing of young players has been appalling. His decision to move on Maloney and Jennings and keep Pearce and Ferguson?
Pete bloor
Guest
Maybe I've been watching a different player all year. Latrell in space or broken play is a sight to behold, but ball in hand decision making he might be the worst player in the Nrl. The amount of times he makes an error with incredibly poor decision making - he's got the worst error to try assist ratio in the league. If he moves to 5/8 they should investigate for match fixing
Steve L.
Guest
He certainly has a lot to live up to, with the hype the commentators have heaped on him. All the future Immortal and superstar superlatives tags have been used before on Tuivasa-Sheck, Hopoate etc, they always have to have one. He is 19 years old now.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Give him a run is ressies for a few weeks then , in my opinion Robbo should have given quite a few a run in ressies earlier in the year to adjust their attitudes. All too late now though .
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Mitchell has severe attitude issues. Shifting him to the wing and bringing in Gordon for next season are Robinsons attempts to put a rocket under him
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Dunno what Robbo was thinking by putting Fergo at fullback and Latrell on the wing. In my opinion Latrell has been one of the shining lights at fullback in an otherwise pretty dark year at Bondi . Whereas Ferguson has been a disappointment in whatever position he has played and has on all but a few occasions failed to deliver on the expectations placed on him at the beginning of the year . A lot of people questioned Robbos ability as a coach at the start of the season , with a disrupted list to manage , but he has still had a reasonable herd to work with . At this stage of the season you would have to think he has massively underachieved .