It was arguably the game of the year on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos. Played in front of over 29,000 fans, it featured a thrilling finish, miraculous tries and brute defence, making it a clash you couldn’t keep your eyes off.
But it was the centre battle of Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts which took the cake for me, with both young superstars playing crucial roles in their respective side’s performance. If Brad Fitler was wondering who he should pick to field at the MCG come 6 June, he doesn’t need to look far anymore.
Roberts and Mitchell were at each other’s throats all night trying to one-up each other, and it made for brilliant footy and TV. Mitchell seemed to take the cake in the first half as he played a key role in his side’s first two tries, including swatting Roberts away for one of them.
But it was ‘Jimmy the Jet’ proving why he’s the fastest player in the competition as his dazzling feet beat Latrell twice to set up one try and score the other. Roberts’ second try, scored by beating four Roosters defenders, was unlike anything I’ve seen before in this competition.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
If New South Wales and Brad Filter are serious about breeding a new winning culture and setting up years of success, these two young men are the perfect starting stones for that. Their speed, power and strength are uncanny to anyone else in the competition, and bother can make teams look foolish with the ball in their hands.
Although there may be question marks over their defence and lapses in concentration, I believe they have enough skill and pure talent to clinch NSW a series win in 2018.
Dodgy dragons
Guest
Both players can attack, but you also have to tackle, which makes up half the contest. Only one of them for mine, and I think I’d go with Mitchell as he has more room for improvement and maturity, where Roberts not so much. Plus he can also kick which could come in handy especially if Freddy isn’t going to pick Maloney (which I hope is a smokescreen)
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
There's no way Fittler will pick Dugan. Fittler is after 'footballers' rather than lumbering pick bodies who can't pass. It's also why he won't pick Ferguson.
Big Will TBU
Guest
Oh how I wish Will Chambers was a liability for the Maroons. But I'm sad to report that his big game experience and total self belief in the skills in attack and defence he has shown consistently for season after season, series after series will require equally freakish skills to control. I'm not convinced by the occasional burst of speed from Roberts, as breathtaking as it is to see him beat defences so easily. Mitchell appears to be made of the right stuff and I'm happy to pencil him in the Blues side for 2020.
Big Daddy
Guest
Agreed. Both inglis and chambers are not as quick as they used to be. Let's see how they handle these two. NSW have picked defensive centre's/fullbacks in the past and look what happened. There's only one way too see if they are up too SOO. Can't be any worse than before.
Paul
Roar Guru
thanks for letting me off lightly Michael. I put my comments down to a dose of Sunday morning after trying to watch the game while supervising a chilldrens party I still don't think Roberts will get a look-in for SOO, though the try he scored is tops for best individual effort this year. Amazing pace.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
State of Origin is all about DEFENCE. James Roberts is pathetic at it. Latrell Mitchell outplayed him. I am thinking Mitchell on the left. Aitken on the Right side.
Benny
Guest
If you actually watch Latrell's defence week-in, week-out, he has become a very good defender and always out-muscles his opponents. Roberts' first try on Friday was a brain explosion due to, I'm guessing, over-confidence from his first-half domination. His second try nobody except JAC could have done anything about.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Were you watching the game Paul. They were on the same side of the field. Roberts is on the Broncos right which is opposite Mitchell who is on the Roosters left. Mitchell swatted Roberts away twice to setup Roosters tries in the first half and in the second half Roberts stepped Mitchell to setup Isaako and then burned him for pace for his amazing try. They were at each other all night on the same side of the field!
Charles NSW
Guest
Fittler is working on the theory that players must have both their defence and attack in order and they must be in form. He will also try to match combinations as well. This has not been done over the years and why we have continued to fail over the years. It may take some time but we can get there if he works on this theory instead of choosing whoever.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
For pure entertainment value, I'd like them both picked along with Addo-Carr
Paul
Roar Guru
Where was the centre battle between Mitchell and Roberts? Sure they both did some very good things in attack on opposite sides of the field but but Roberts has did little else so far this year and Mitchell still has lots of question marks over his defence. In horse tracing parlance - others preferred
jimmmy
Guest
I think Roberts and Mitchell ruled each other out of Origin. They were dreadful at marking their opponent . Mitchell may be OK in the future as you say, but Origin?
paul j
Guest
Neither should play origin. Both showed how their defence is not up to scratch on friday night
Dan
Guest
Euan is a good center. But his not a match winner. Those other two are.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Euan Aitken is almost a shoe-in for one spot. Josh Dugan will be back from injury and won't be getting dropped either if he is fit, which I anticipate he will be. James Roberts may never play Origin, while Latrell will be there one day. Too many brain explosions at the moment though... His day will come.
Lima
Guest
Roberts should get a jersey for the blues, he has arrived. He was beaten twice by Mitchell in the first half, and that's because Mitchell's a great attacker. I can't see someone like Will Chambers get past Roberts in origin assuming they put him on the left. LM has many wonderful gifts, but something everyone has to learn/develop over time is good defense. He has a fair way to go, he isn't origin ready. I'll say another year of consistent footy and more work on his defense.