A desire to play fullback is part of Latrell Mitchell’s willingness to explore other NRL opportunities, according to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Mitchell is likely to have played his final game for the club after Robinson conceded the Roosters needed to “move on” from their star centre.
Despite having one year left on his current deal with the premiers, Mitchell is now destined for a move to the Wests Tigers or North Queensland.
“I think he wants to play fullback,” Robinson told SEN on Monday.
“I think that’s his desire, so he’s going to go and explore the opportunities. It’s as simple as that. There’s no angst there.
“It’s just, he’s out there looking at the moment.”
Robinson explained that Mitchell expressed a desire to look at other opportunities during a meeting between the pair two weeks ago.
The Roosters pulled a reported $800,000-a-year contract extension soon afterwards.
“There’s a lot been said but Latrell’s a good man and he’s delivered for the Roosters, and he wants to explore his opportunities,” Robinson said.
“A lot’s been written and we’re happy for him to do that.
“It’s just, we can’t sit and wait for that to happen. We’ve got to move on as well.”
The Tigers appear to be the frontrunners to land Mitchell’s signature, with coach Michael Maguire and CEO Justin Pascoe recently visiting him in Taree.
Another key piece in the recruitment trip was Tigers head of football Adam Hartigan, who joined them from the Roosters in July.
Hartigan was on the coaching staff of the SG Ball team that featured Mitchell, who was man-of-the-match in their grand final win in 2014.
The game was played at the Tigers’ spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval.
Should the joint-venture land Mitchell, he’ll arrive two years after the Tigers watched James Tedesco depart on a big-money deal to the Roosters.
Corey Thompson was the Tigers’ No.1 for most of the 2019 season.
Recently-appointed Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis made no secret of the club’s pursuit of Mitchell.
“There’s no point in being coy. We want Latrell at the Tigers next year. There’s no doubt about that,” Hagipantelis told Big Sports Breakfast.
“He is a quality human being, a quality player on and off the field.The lines of communication with Latrell and his management have been opened.
“We would not be the only club that would be interested in a marquee player of Latrell’s stature in the game.”
The Tigers announced the re-signing of Luke Garner until the end of the 2022 campaign after establishing himself in the first-grade team last season.
“It’s very exciting for me to stay here,” Garner said.
“This is the club where I made my first-grade debut and where I’ve played for the last few years so I’m very excited to stay.”
The club is also believed to be closing in on luring St George Illawarra forward Luciano Leilua as a replacement for Ryan Matterson.
Nat
Roar Guru
I've been one that long resisted any comparisons to Inglis but I can see Latrell making that same impact at his next club at FB. He's achieved everything he can at Easts and yet just maturing into a man and a leader. For mine, he'll be up there with Turbo and Tede in a very short period.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I reckon he's gone off the boil but when he was in form I wouldn't care one bit if he was only touching the ball 8 times in a game. As a coach I would probably encourage him to bide his time and save energy if the results are devastating as they were. He was criticised recently for his game against the Tigers where he decimated them because he only had 5 touches or something. It indicates how superior he is talent wise. If you want work rate and involvement Will Hopoate is great value but Mitchell is an outright match winner and the only question to me is if he can duplicate or get close to his best. If he can he is clearly a great recruit.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think it is sad that the position of centre is so under valued in the game today. Latrell needs to look at some of the greats and reinvent the centre position in today’s game - Ella, Lyon, Cronin, Renouf, Gasnier, O’Connor, Brass, Farah, Meninga - these guys would be $m+ today.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
That was why Robbo gave him a shot at it....and he ain't been back there since
mushi
Roar Guru
It was a criticism when he played FB and Wing also. But hey he's young and wants to back himself. If he get's someone to pay him as if the problems have been solved even better for two reasons 1. Can't begrudge someone getting paid 2. Salary cap is a zero sum game, if the Tigers over pay then everyone else gets a relative increase in their salary cap.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd "heard" he want's to be a 5/8 or fullback. but given the reliability of reporting who knows.
mushi
Roar Guru
Also his motor at Fullback is going to be a big question mark. He often looked gassed playing centre.
Dan Vella
Roar Rookie
This thing about drifting out of games is a beat up coming from Origin. I can’t think many centres who are always ‘in the game’ mostly they need play to come their way however I’ve seen few that can execute like he does when he’s got the chance. Yes he has to improve his defence and work rate , he’s 22! No shortage of people trying to cut Latrell down
Dutski
Roar Guru
Fair enough - if fullback is his passion the go for it. Good on the club for not standing in his way. There's been plenty of Inglis comparisons but if he can transition to FB like GI did then what a pickup that would be! I'd love to see him stay with the Roosters, but if not I'd fancy him running off Morgan at the Cowboys! That could develop into something special. I can see why the Tigers would want him, but he'd be carrying that backline. Good luck Latrell. Nothing to prove but to yourself, mate. Go for it.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
As a Rooster supporter I would rather he stay however when did the "different salaries for different positions" come into play? Players earning 1M include Ben Hunt, Ash Taylor, Anthony Milford & James Tedesco. Only one of those are worth that amount. Apparently Mitchell is taking advice from Anthony Mundine so who am I to argue with The Man who is an expert on everything. Just ask him.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Did he want to play in the halves? I was under the impression he simply put his hand up to play in the halves when Keary was injured/on leave.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
He wanted to play in the halves, they gave him a shot at it.....not all that successful was it. Playing 6 or 7 takes some nouse and you cannot drift in and out of the game, more so at full back it is a very specialist position and the blokes with that little bit extra between the ears like Tedesco & RTS and a couple of others are outstanding in the position. Now all I can say is that on current indicators that if you cannot concentrate for 80 minutes every week playing Centre how do you reckon you would go at full back?? As the bloke said in the movie...Tell him he's dreaming
Albo
Roar Rookie
The biggest question mark is what is going on between his ears. Sort that out, and the positional play in defence will be no issue.
Texasman
Roar Rookie
With the ball, Latrell is easily the best centre in the game but the biggest question mark is his positional play in defence. To think he is somehow going to transform into a great fullback where it’s all about positional play is a massive risk for the tigers.