“Entitled”, said Phil Rothfield in the Daily Telegraph. “Insulted” and “miffed”, suggested Danny Weidler. “In limbo”, claimed the Mole.
All is not well with Latrell Mitchell, and things took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when the Sydney Roosters put out a short but direct statement announcing the club had retracted an offer thought to be worth $800,000 a year to keep the superstar centre beyond 2020. Coach Trent Robinson, for so long Mitchell’s mentor, is said to have delivered the news personally.
Speculation has swirled for months that those in the player’s ear, including a new agent, have convinced him that he’s worth $1 million plus. Reports said he had already begun to test the market before the November 1 deadline, meeting Bulldogs officials and infuriating the Roosters hierarchy – a claim that was effectively confirmed by yesterday’s statement.
So it might be the off-season for the NRL, but it’s open season on the young star when it comes to speculation and opinion. Depending on who you listen to, the Bulldogs are either in prime position, or have gone cold on the idea. The Tigers could be in the frame. The Panthers and Knights have ruled him out. The Rabbitohs are keeping quiet, for now.
It’s certainly a strong stance from the back-to-back premiers, who seem intent on underlining the old adage that no player is bigger than the club. But was forcing the issue the right call, or will the loss of patience prove an irreconcilable mistake that ultimately gift-wraps free-scoring Mitchell for a rival, maybe even as early as next season?
Reaction on social media suggests the majority of the Chooks’ fan base is lining up behind Robinson and owner Nick Politis. That combination has done more than enough to earn unwavering trust, after all.
You can follow their logic. $800,000 a year would make the 22-year-old the highest paid centre in the game, with a two-year term giving him the opportunity to keep improving and show he’s worth even more as he enters the prime of his career.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Robinson evangelises relentlessly about the strength of the club’s values. Openly affronted when assistant Adam O’Brien accepted the Knights’ head coaching role in August, you can imagine the reaction to Mitchell’s perceived disloyalty in meeting Belmore officials. The Roosters will point to the painless retention of fellow centre Joey Manu, who is on a similar trajectory, as an example of how business should be done.
For all the talk of Politis’ salary sombrero, the Bondi club still faces a balancing act. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siua Taukeiaho, coming off stand-out seasons, are off contract next term. Young guns Sam Verrills and Nat Butcher deserve upgrades, while co-captain Jake Friend and veteran winger Brett Morris are other notables only tied until 2020.
The cap space from Cooper Cronk’s retirement will only go so far, so throwing too much at Mitchell could force other important players to move on.
Lastly, convention dictates that clubs simply do not pay seven figures for centres, who do not get the same ball time as playmakers, fullbacks or forward battering rams. Critics say this is particularly true of Mitchell, who has been accused of drifting in and out all season and failing to turn up in big games including Origin 1, the grand final and recent internationals.
But for all of that, you can also argue that Mitchell attracts so much scrutiny because he is no ordinary centre. Far from it.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Still just 22, he is one of the few genuine stars in the NRL – a player whose talent surpasses the confines of the game and breaks into the mainstream. Quite simply, he puts bums on seats. Knowing he might do something electrifying is the difference between a part-time fan buying a ticket over watching at home. He is a factor in all-important membership renewals.
What makes a young fan fall in love with league over a rival code. How do you put a value on that?
This is a player who, despite some patchy form, won Dally M centre of the year, easily finished as the competition’s top scorer, regularly outscored opponents on his own at the SCG and won a second straight premiership. His combinations on the Roosters’ left edge are crucial to the most devastating attacking unit around, not to mention being the team’s primary goal-kicker. Not a bad list of achievements for a player whose best years are probably still ahead.
And as much as the media questions his attitude, there is just as much to suggest Mitchell is growing into a positive role model, particularly for the Indigenous community. He is deeply connected to his roots, aware of what he represents and is admirably vocal about racial inequality and abuse, particularly on social media. He is also a young father and open about wanting to provide as much as he can for his kids – something it’s difficult to criticise without standing in his shoes.
But with the Tricolours having pulled the plug, a reconciliation between player and club looks a long way off. However it plays out, Mitchell will continue to attract headlines and column inches this summer, few of which are likely to make happy reading for Roosters fans.
Larry1950
Guest
Despite all the rhetoric, Mitchell will stay at the roosters. It's a smokescreen.
Paul
Guest
So the Roosters continuely approach other players under contract,but when one of there players tests there value. The spoilt brats go off They put nothing into junior rugby league till a player turns 16 That's when they pillage every other clubs juniors that have invested in those players. Sad there's no SALARY CAP For junior Rep sides from 16up This is a total lop sided sutuation & what makes it worse is the media that gets behind this club(The Telegraph)with the long long history of this club with troublesome players & ex players in trouble with the LAW. I suppose that's the payback when you invite the media to a pre season function (lucky it's not politics)cause it would be an absolute scandle.
Footy Fan
Guest
Hopoate. Or Gagai or Marsters. Even Ramien - imagine how he'd go w Chooks development, cap structure and coaching. Of course you need to align with contracts ending. But that ' 2nd best centre' option is an academic strawman anyway. It gets swamped by the best value solution: Billy Smith (young fella, trained in the squad for a couple of years with the back-back premiers, 99kg, fast, powerful, similar height to Mitchell). Plus 600k to spend, upgrading a base 150k contact. Think about it - a 750k state of origin player out of nowhere instead of a nuftie. Both Maloney and Keary were brought in at 500k. Plenty of other next-generation top centres like Xerri, Staggs, Olam, Braidon Burns, Momirovski, Lomax. All could give 200% bang/buck. All of the above could deliver 90% of what Mitchell delivers, with the very best development, in the best cap structure, with the best coaching. Across 80 mins x full season. The cap's so super constraining, you can *always* benefit with non-wasted (extra) dollars to upgrade in many positions. But you plan & develop years out, never knee-jerk react, and never pay overs.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
If Easts had not won 2 GFs in a row, a lot more fans may be questioning the management's decision to withdraw the offer. But you can't argue with an organisation that have gone B2B and you tend to trust their judgement. My gut feel is that Latrell may be headed Redfern way. Apart from needing him as a player, they have been wanting to get back at us for Keary, Crichton and Butcher.
Nat
Roar Guru
That extra coin would buy the next best but who is that? Whatever name you come up with is a fair step down from Latrell. They can bring through a young fella but it's the same situation if Tede goes down, they will need 2 young fellas (assuming Manu plays FB) or go the safe, reliable but slow option of Morris and Aubo.
Footy Fan
Guest
What's wrong is that he could only deliver 800k value, tops, at centre. And he's only played first grade fullback in a team that's won 25% of games, leaking twice the points in defence compared to the 2019 Roosters. He doesn't yet have the supreme fitness, tactical nous and defence coordination skills for fullback - would take a few years to reach peak. He could be an elite running five eighth - developing over a couple of years. In all 3 cases, he's only delivering 800k value. I've seen careers reduced by players signing contacts 40% too high, then delivering less than their capability due to excessive pressure, lack of team support (crappy 'cap structure'), and even injury as they try to take it all on themselves, miss semis, miss rep games, win no more premierships, etc. It's a really hard and tough game Rugby League and you can't achieve success as a Lone Wolf. The saving grace is that the silly Dally M points scoring totally favours the Lone Wolf in a crappy team.
Footy Fan
Guest
*Hayne*
Footy Fan
Guest
That means taking charge of the teams defence. Endless quick decisions and communication across the team. The main responsibly at fullback. How does he develop the extreme fitness and stamina required at fullback, when he's more of a power 100-200m runner, than a mid-endurance 400 runner? It took Teddy about 6 years of effort and dedication to get where he is. Slater's career took years to hone towards top standard. How was the Roosters defence when RTS left (answer: bad for a couple of years). You remember when Jayne had great attack when he started at fullback, but lesser team defence, and so many hamstring injuries? You saw CNK cramp up in the GF? It might all be possible, but it's a many-year programme.
Footy Fan
Guest
But what about the huge 800k for replacements? Would buy the best centre in the market, or the 2 best centre juniors coming through, with a fair bit of leftover change in both cases. I'd call that a dip in star power (to be replaced via development), but a boost to depth.
JC
Guest
South SYDNEY need a fullback. That’s where he will end up. Mitchell is a very good player that can be a great player. Personally I have watched his career closely. He appears sensitive, troubled easily and not willing to work hard. The fact that he kicked the ball rather than dive on it during the Tonga test says a lot. I have seen a few of these instances with Mitchell Let him go, he needs to grow up Robinson and Politis are VERY LOYAL and very professional. They have seen more than we have seen with Latrell. If they are willing to let him go they know something we don’t. PS MUNDINE IS A CLOWN, HE IS NOT LOYAL if he was he would have passed the ball in the grand final and most likely won the game for St George.
Nick Parmenter
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. Agree re his potential and the need for the right guidance - it’s worrying that he is (reportedly) listening more to outside voices than Trent Robinson, who has been so good for him this far.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
Not at all, seems the differences are insurmountable for Mitchell and the Roosters and he needs to rebuild in a changed location with some special individual guidance perhaps. He is an outstanding talent, could easily be the best in the world and it would be a real shame if the talent was not reigned in and educated to the best level. My feelings are for the Rabbits for this to happen
Nat
Roar Guru
That will most likely be true. Or at least not any where nearly as successful club but he'll still rep. The problem with a 22yo that has achieved everything (twice) is it becomes a personality game. A new club might excite him to be a part of a building opportunity. He might wnat to change positions, 1 or 6, that someone might offer him. All the chooks can offer is money, he's done everything they can offer.
Nick Parmenter
Roar Rookie
Are you saying that the Bunnies have a better team environment than the club that’s just won two straight titles?
RudyZarzoff
Guest
And possibly watch his career slide down a greasy slope .
mushi
Roar Guru
If he thinks another year gets him more and a shot a position he'd rather play then I'm okay with him backing himself. But the roosters can't just leave a free option on the table for him. Good luck to him, if he wants to maximise his earnings and create lasting wealth for his family he's entitled to.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
Move on MITCHELL , get into a team environment eg RABBITS . Forget the money. Mitchell needs to reset his football ability and if I were an administrator of a club ,I'd give him a chance to redeem his form with a verbal promise to upgrade the contract on review mid season. Present form and attitude to football about $ 450K a season
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I like the Roosters approach. I am sure Latrell is a really nice guy and wants to look after his growing family. BUT, he desperately needs a mentor-and his manager & Mundine are not the answer. I think the Roosters are fairly flexible when it comes to player behaviour - I think Latrell may have pushed it too far and is getting some dumb advice.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
If the young fellow wants to seriously chase the money and buggar everything else then there is the Toronto Wolfpack over in Canada. They are in the market for topline players and willing to pay for them, pay big dollars for them. If I was a highly talented 22yo RL player wanting financial security, my manager would be instructed to try and sell me to the Wolfpack. That club could be going places in a brand new market.
James T
Guest
Who else is willing to pay 800k for a centre?