It was only last year when the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns criticised the Sydney Roosters for their underuse of superstar centre Latrell Mitchell. “They’ve got a Ferrari in the garage and they never drive it,” Johns said.
It was a dire warning for the eventual back-to-back premiers who had just lost to the Dragons 24-8 on a wet and uncompromising Anzac Day clash. Would their plan to lure Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco to Bondi fail already by April?
Time would seem to say no – both would go on to win the next two premierships, and Latrell Mitchell would pick up state and Australian representatives on the way. However, it’s a crucial warning that other clubs might need to heed before they decide to pounce on the Roosters superstar.
The rumour mill has been churning like never before in Sydney’s eastern suburbs as it seems more likely that Latrell Mitchell will leave the hen for a bigger payday and maybe a bigger role at either the Wests Tigers or North Queensland Cowboys.
Mitchell has long dreamt to be a star fullback in the NRL. In his first season with the Roosters in 2016 he switched between wing, centre and fullback before he finally claimed the No. 1 jersey and looked like the second coming of his childhood hero, Greg Inglis.
And as the games best players in Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck bring the ball back in every game, it seems Mitchell’s dream to play fullback still burns strong – leaving his future with the Roosters very uncertain.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Mitchell was last seen in Townsville having dinner with Cowboys officials about a possible switch to North Queensland, however a late Valentine Holmes recruitment swoop quickly put that rumour to bed. But then Cowboys coach Paul Green said they were still in the hunt for the two-time Premiership star, who could still line up in the centre position.
So now the attention turns to the Wests Tigers – a club who has been left reeling after another star signing in Ryan Matterson walked out of the club. They have reportedly offered Mitchell a four-year, $4 million dollar deal at fullback that would see him become one of the highest paid players in the game.
And although he would still be playing fullback at the Tigers – enabling him to touch the ball more and become involved more in plays – the question mark still remains. Will the Ferrari be kept in the garage?
Now some might say it was the Roosters playmakers’ fault for not giving him early ball on Anzac day last year, but it hasn’t been the first time Mitchell has been criticised for his lapses in play. Phil Gould went on the attack with Mitchell after his disappointing performance in this year’s State of Origin opener, saying he was lazy and looked uninterested.
The problem didn’t last for too long, and it was only this year where Mitchell received Dally M Centre of the Year and was the league’s highest point scorer – but that was with the Roosters. Now put Mitchell in a Tigers system that hasn’t tasted finals football since 2011 – or a Cowboys team still hurting from the departure of Johnathan Thurston.
If Latrell Mitchell does indeed decide to leave the Sydney Roosters, he may keep the Ferrari locked inside the garage for a lot longer.
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa "Breaking News" Latrell Mitchell is hoping to play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs next season and may even accept the salary he rejected at the Roosters, a new report claims. Mitchell has been told that his time at the Roosters is over, after he baulked at an $800,000 per season extension. The Sunday Telegraph's Phil Rothfield reported that Mitchell was still not sold on a potential $1 million per season deal with Wests Tigers, wanting his management to explore Souths' interest. See here: https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugby-league/latrells-outrageous-link-to-roosters-hated-rival/ar-AAK9j2h?ocid=spartandhp this could be a sensation, if it is? Then Latrell is very welcome at the Bunnies "Go You Bunnies"!!!
Grandstand
Roar Rookie
$700K per year for an unknown fullback is tremendous money. That's why I personally believe he will be at the Rabbitohs in 2021.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Just as a side note on some very known things about Ferraris, they are well known to either, break down, and take a load of money to fix or they burn down, which is a compete loss, be warned Cows and Tigers lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Just as a side note on some very known things about Ferraris, they are well known to either, break down, and take a s**t load of money to fix or they burn down, which is a compete loss, be warned Cows and Tigers lol
Pete
Guest
The more this drags out the more it seems Latrell has made a massive mistake.
Texasman
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. Put the team first and save $800K Set the example and make no exceptions. Thats why the Roosters are so good at the salary cap.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
was not inspiring when he played in the halves either ...but Robo gave him a shot at it. Baz , dunno about you but if you look closely at all this drama over Mitchell there is a point that many are missing here, but it should be quite clear if you look hard enough. The Roosters have spoilt the kid rotten trying to get the best out of him and it has come back to bite them on the bum. For someone like Politis to go the coach & say enough is enough it has to tell you something. Robo will be very diplomatic about it but the reality is that the focus on Mitchell and trying to get him to sort his head out has been a strain and a distraction and Trent has a squad of players to look after and cannot spend so much time babysitting Mitchell. You most certainly hit the nail right on the head when you stated:>>>>>>>>"And if I’m laying out a million bucks I want someone who’s got all those things not someone I’m sorta hoping might get there in some of these areas" So why do you reckon that Nick & Trent have said bugger it, not worth the effort when we have a terrific world class full back and a bloke called Billy Smith busting his gut to play first grade centre. Is he is as talented as Mitchell, dunno, but what they do know about Billy is that like Marnu & TKO & Teddy he will turn up every week
RudyZarzoff
Guest
Because it appears that’s exactly where he will spend 2020 if he remains at the Roosters. After biting the very generous hand that fed him.
My Little Pony
Roar Rookie
"A year in the garage of reserve grade might be the wake up call he needs." Whilst signing Mitchell for top dollar to play fullback is not judicious, I don't know why a player who is the competition's top point scorer, 2nd top try scorer and in the top ten for linebreaks needs a year in reserve grade.
Paul
Roar Guru
his other problem,if he stays at Easts,is trying to slot into the FB spot when they've got one of the best custodians on the planet at number 1. If his contract was structured in such a way that he received bonuses for proving himself,or heaven forbid,if the Tigers/Cowboys could back end his deal, if MIGHT be worth the risk, but on recent performances, he is as you say - a highly talented player with lots still to prove and I wouldn't touch him at that price.
RudyZarzoff
Guest
It does sound like something the Tigers would do though. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and they have done some relatively stupid things in recent times. Just as they are starting to climb from the ashes , a poor outcome here could see them crash and burn again, with another 3 or 4 year hangover as a result. Having said that , this whole saga appears to be dragging on , and perhaps clubs are starting to realise that he is a “ potential land mine”. A year in the garage of reserve grade might be the wake up call he needs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s largely the problem I’d have with picking up Mitchell as a fullback for a million bucks It’s a huge gamble. He hasn’t played fullback for three years. Wasn’t inspiring when he did. Doesn’t seem to have the motor. Doesn’t have the organising skills. Doesn’t have the ball playing I reckon Mitchell is the most innately talented player in the comp and may very well learn and excel at all of these things but he’s not there yet And if I’m laying out a million bucks I want someone who’s got all those things not someone I’m sorta hoping might get there in some of these areas Then you’ve got the land mine of what does the coach do if it’s not working He moves Mitchell to the centres, he blows up “I signed to play fullback!” and there’s a chance you’ve got a demotivated, culture killing centre soaking up a million bucks a year ! It’s a massive gamble. I don’t mind a punt but 5 mill and five years would be too much for me !
Paul
Roar Guru
and both had some form at fullback, especially Holmes and you're right, Holmes was badly missed by the Sharks. For the sort of money Mitchell's apparently chasing,I'd want a bloke who could defend well, safe under the high ball and played where the coach wanted him to play, if that was in the best interests of the team. Pretty sure Mitchell doesn't tick all those boxes, certainly not on a regular basis. There's also no way Mitchell should expect to play FB at the Cowboys, now they've signed Holmes. As you pointed out, he was brilliant in 2018.
Rob
Guest
In 2009 Jarryd Hayne almost won Parramatta a GF. In 18 games at fullback Hayne scored 9 tries and everyone was calling the greatest attacking player in the game. In 2018 Holmes played 18 games at fullback and scored 13 tries? He also kicked goals at 83% which as the Sharks will tell you was sorely missed in 2019.
Paul
Roar Guru
So on top of some formthat ranged from seriously good to well below average, they no have to decide if they want a bloke who insists on playing fullback. What form line does he bring to the table to justify this demand? What will he do if he crashes and burns at fullback, remembering it's not only about catching the ball under zero pressure and running it back up field. And all this for the one low price of a million bucks a year!! For that sort of chunk out of my salary cap, I'd want someone just a tad more experienced in playing fullback and someone who I know will give me everything for the term of the contract. The only blokes I know like that are locked up at Manly and..... the Roosters!!
elvis
Roar Rookie
J Turbo at the back, it'd be like Choppy Close re-incarnated!