Pre-season. Footy is just about here, and after the Nines last week, tomorrow we get our first taste of the 80-minute variety as the Indigenous All-Stars take on the Maori All-Stars.
A far cry from the days of the “NRL All-Stars” or the “World All-Stars”, this is a game where both sides running onto the park have something to play for.
Their culture. Their heritage. Indigenous and Maori.
I won’t pretend to know exactly what it means to be part of one of those two incredible cultures, but it meant plenty to both groups last year and was a fantastic way to get the pre-season officially underway.
But this year’s match has one storyline which is sticking out from the rest. It has evolved right throughout the off-season and kept the rugby league world interested in its every twist, turn and new direction.
Latrell Mitchell.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
He could turn into one of the most talented players to grace a rugby league field, but if that’s going to happen, 2020 feels like it has to be the start of something new for the man once touted as the next Greg Inglis. Now, not only is he talked about in that discussion, he is following GI’s progression as he shifts to fullback.
The contract circus that saw him linked to half the clubs in the competition before eventually landing at the Rabbitohs is finally over, and we can focus on the footy he will produce in the upcoming season.
It’s a huge risk for Souths to pick him up as a fullback, but if it works, it’ll be the bargain of the season, given the price they ended up getting him for.
There is really no question that, given how his time at the Roosters ended, Mitchell needed a change of scenery. Souths may be the ideal fit for the talented youngster.
The issues he has struggled with throughout his NRL career have been consistency in attack, wanting to be involved in the game at all times, and some of his defensive work.
Wayne Bennett is a master at getting the best out of his players, so those first two issues should naturally improve if Mitchell puts the effort in, while the latter could determine whether he lasts the season at fullback and turns himself into a great player, rather than a good one with moments of brilliance.
It’s not as if Mitchell doesn’t have experience wearing the no.1 jersey – plenty of his junior days were spent there, and more importantly, he played most of his first top grade season at the back.
(Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
While the Roosters struggled badly that year, slumping to 15th, the signs of Mitchell as an attacking star were already there as he scored 14 tries on his way to being the Chooks’ leading try-scorer.
Defensively, though, it was another story. This is the issue Mitchell has so often had, no matter the position he plays in.
Whether it be the brain-fade penalty, the rushing off the line or being out of position and seemingly half-asleep, Mitchell has so often struggled to have the same impact in defence that his does with ball in hand.
While no one doubts his attacking ability, Mitchell, at fullback, can no longer afford to drift in and out of games either. While playing at centre doesn’t determine how a team plays, the player wearing the number one jumper can.
The 22-year-old could easily be accused of being a flat track bully – great when his team plays well, terrible when they’re not switched on. That, simply put, is a trend he must break in 2020.
Pre-season photos showing Mitchell back down at his playing weight with weeks to go before the season actually gets underway are a major positive for Souths, but one of the most talked-about players in the game needs to make the most of every opportunity to hone his craft before the season kicks off.
To some, the All-Stars match is merely a trial. To Latrell, it must serve as his first proper examination at the back, with another to come the following week in Mudgee at the Charity Shield.
With Alex Johnston also wanting to play fullback, the pressure on the man who has been thrown a chance by South Sydney will be immense, and fans will turn fast if he isn’t up to scratch.
For Mitchell, this is the season that could make or break his career, and starting it off with a big performance in a jersey representing his culture and heritage would be the ideal way to start.
He has all the tools and potential to succeed. Now we get to find out if that can be a reality.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Some of you may have noticed that I have been absent from The Roar for some months. Unfortunately, my time as part of the site’s in-house editorial staff came to its conclusion at the end of last year, but I’m looking forward to being part of the rugby league expert team this season and continuing contributing on the site.
And who knows, I might just pop up with the occasional live blog throughout the season for old times sake.
Now, bring on the footy. Oh, and a preview series. Look out for that getting underway next week.
mushi
Roar Guru
He's also going to attract a lot of unfair attention this year. A lot of his unhappiness last year was being a lightning rod for the bottom end of society. I'm not sure that's changed at all.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Round 5!! I think round 25 would be a better indicator. Were Souths not undefeated after 5 rounds. I think if you went through Waynes coaching career and only counted the post origin games his record would be less than 50%. It would certainly be down on his pre origin record which would be close to 80%.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Yep, played like Latrell plays. Those who couldn’t understand why the chooks let Mitchell go Should now He is not a fullback and it’s going to cause mayhem at the burro
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ha, thanks James. Ah being a Dragons fan.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks Geoff. Good point regarding CNK. And not sure on the weekly talking points articles at this stage Geoff. I hope so. My 4 will be revealed in my preview series, sorry to keep you waiting!
Scott Pryde
Expert
I didn't watch much of the game (will tomorrow) but from what I heard, it wasn't great, yeah...
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I doubt that ot could've been a worse debut at fullback. By my count touched the ball less than 10 times. Took it to the line twice for once tackled and one ridiculous offload. And plenty of the churlish immaturity on display. Penalised once for a flop on a defenseless player and the last try should've been an 8 pointer as a result of something that has no place in the game period let alone a game like this.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I think you got your answer, Scott, after the Indigenous game on Saturday night. Un-fit, undisciplined & angry; very much a disappointment.
steveng
Roar Rookie
We will be ok, dont think we will go as bad as the Broncs.
elvis
Roar Rookie
ET got selected twice for Australia in the centres, against PNG. Otherwise he played 14 tests on the wing, 4 off the bench, and 5 at fullback (Mullins or Belcher must have been injured). I'm sure him and Mal were very successful beating up the poor old Kumals lol.
Samtwocantoo
Guest
But after having been fed quality ball and being part of the best team in the comp two years in a row , if the “fresh start” turns out to be an unhappy one , I’m not so sure he’ll cope with it . He’s definitely got a good dummy spit in him , so if things don’t go his way , old man Bennett may have a basket case on his hands . On the back of that I see Souths having a dreadful year , and possibly even bottom four.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Agreed. He’s increased his chances of success 10 fold than if he ended up under Green or Macguire for that very reason.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I was a bit busy at work yesterday so just got around to reading this today. I think we will all be fascinated to see how Latrell goes at FB. He is such a wonderful talent but to be honest I think his best position is centre. FB requires so much defensive work that I'm not sure he will have the tank to handle it. I recall CNK being absolutely knackered at end of some of his games last year which may have affected his involvement in attack. May be the same story for Latrell. Just goes to show how good the great fullbacks such as Tedesco and Slater are/were in terms of their involvement in defence and attack. And have to agree with others that Inglis was amazing at FB - I recall so many games where he carved up the Raiders with those long weaving runs. It was a joy to watch even if we were on the receiving end. Hope we haven't lost your analysis of each round Scott - they were one of my highlights of the week. Us league tragics need you buddy. Do you have any thoughts on who will feature in the top four this year. I'd like to think the Raiders will be up there but will depend how they cover the loss of BJ and Rapana. The Scott incident isn't helping answer this question. I think George Williams will be the key. How do you think your Dragons will go?
Nat
Roar Guru
Nice example :angry: I was at that game and the whole thing seemed to take forever. I'm sure turned around at one point looking for someone else to beat.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, quite often. A NSW stalwart and while he did go between wing & center (I have a memory of him playing FB as well?) for Aust, him and Mal were a very succesful center pairing.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I was planning to write an article on so called lazy players like Mitchell but Scotts comment is pretty much what I was going to say. I'm perplexed that Mitchells efforts in attack when he's playing well can be questioned because he doesn't touch the ball often enough. I reckon he was the most important player in the comp in 18. He's probably top of the list for a stat which doesn't exist but is the most valuable one of all. Scoring tries when nothing is on. I disagree that he needs Keary to help him. It's not Lyon/ Menzies where Menzies is put thru a gap , it's Mitchell given early ball and decimating the opponent by himself.
jamesb
Roar Guru
I am not sure if Mitchell can be a long term success at fullback. For that position you need to be more mobile across the field, either with returning kicks or link up play with the halves. And will his forwards provide him a platform. Sam and George Burgess are gone along with Sutton. Souths do look very light on in the forwards. And finally, welcome back Scotty. The site has been poorer from your absence. Plus I need another Saints fan on this site to drown our sorrows together lol. Anyway, can't wait for the season to kick off.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree Souvalis… now it looks like they’re going to play Murray ‘out of position’ on an edge I think Knight will have a big season but Burgess, Tatola, Su’a are ok bench players but not main men then you get to players like Nicholls
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s so hard to compare - even in the same position and same era If you’re talking ceiling then Inglis may well be the best player I’ve ever seen When he was in he was unstoppable As evidence I’ll present his length of the field try for Souths against the Broncos. I don’t think anyone else in the history of the game could have scored that and it showed all his attributes... strength, speed, swerve Of course when you’re talking greatness, consistency has to come into it and that’s where Slater wins hands down. He was capable of brilliant play and tough play week in, week out
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
It's called exaggeration Scott. Not meant to be taken literally.