South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett admits he may switch Latrell Mitchell back to the centres after his fullback display in their 22-18 NRL loss to Brisbane.
A return to the centres looms for Mitchell after an underwhelming fullback display that prompted Phil Gould to claim the South Sydney recruit wasn’t ready to play NRL, let alone wear the No.1 jersey.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett admitted he may have to axe Mitchell at fullback for next week’s blockbuster clash against former club Sydney Roosters after the NSW representative failed to shine for the second straight match in his new position.
Mitchell showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately shifted back to the centres with Alex Johnston finishing the game in the custodian role in their 22-18 second-round loss to Brisbane on Friday night.
Bennett admitted it may be a sign of things to come.
“We’ll sit down and have a think about it,” Bennett said when asked if Mitchell may revert back to his regular centre spot against the Tricolours.
However, Gould was more forthright about Mitchell after watching the 22-year-old manage just 74m from seven runs – along with two errors – against Brisbane.
Indeed Gould didn’t hold back, claiming Mitchell had been found wanting after leaving the star-studded Roosters in the off-season.
“I don’t think he understands what it takes to be a great footballer,” he told Nine Network.
“He’s a wonderful talent, but it’s the old adage – does the player make the team or does the team make the player?
“He is of no value to this team the way he is at the moment.
“He hasn’t got the knowledge to play fullback. He hasn’t got the intensity to play fullback so Latrell is on a real learning curve.”
Gould even suggested Mitchell’s game may fall apart entirely over the next 18 months if left unchecked.
“I am worried about Latrell and his football,” he said.
“And unless he is mentored by the right people through this period it could all come unravelling for him in the next 18 months judging by what I am seeing right now.
“He is not ready to play NRL football the way he is and certainly not to play that position (fullback).
“When people tolerate what Latrell is doing now Latrell will keep doing what he is doing now – someone in his life has got to pull him into line.”
But Bennett said he had faith in Mitchell making it as a fullback – eventually.
“He’s a wonderful centre but I know he can play fullback – it’s always going to take time,” he said.
steveng
Roar Rookie
"Footy Fan" what's does one thing have to do with the other? Gould (and Freddy) have always had a go at the Bunnies "win or lose" but and I bet you, that when LM and the Bunnies will go well, they will sill have something to whinge and complain about! That is Gould's form and that is why as a commentator his commentary and criticisms will be flawed! As far as the Bunnies are concerned, they did have 'a shocker' I admit it and I also admit that if they continue and keep going the way that they are, they are no chance of doing anything in 2020! I've always called a 'spade a spade' mate!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The defence could have been better for sure but I give a lot of credit to Staggs as well. Would Darius Boyd have scored any of those tries or Mitchell if he was in the centres for the Broncos? The Bunnies halves are the strong point in the team and maybe the best in the comp. Add Cook plus Mitchell in form and Roberts at his best , it's a potent line up. Cody Walker is the key to a potential title win I believe , not many players at the moment are gifted ball players but he is.
steveng
Roar Rookie
IMO, the reason why Staggs scored his hat trick was because of pure and utter lackadaisical defence and efforts by the Bunnies, which Staggs had heaps of! This was very apparent especially when Mitchell was nowhere to be seen at FB with Staggs tries, this is what really infuriates and worries me in 2020 with the Bunnies! For me AJ has to be played at FB as LM is no FB and LM has to be put in at centres (and if he doesn't cut it there, then drop him) as we have plenty of other options, e.g. a FB by the name of Edene Gebbie, who hopefully will get a go in 2020, as he is something special who could and probably will surprise! Also, we have Goodwin as an option, who is a very experienced and versatile player at either FB, centres or wing, Gagai should be an interchange, he hasn't been that impressive over the years. As far as Goodwin is concerned, he is still one of the most consistent football players that we've had and got at the Bunnies, which was very apparent when he played with the Maori side (on the wing and scored) which beat that so called 'crash hot' All Stars side. IMO, the Bunnies should not be playing games in the forwards, maybe 1 to 2 tackles and then Cook/Reynold and Walker should be feeding it out wide, where we've got all the speed and talent to score tries and win games, that is our strength and that is the only way that the Bunnies will get anywhere in 2020!
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Yeah Josh, Mal was bang on about The whole thing including media beat ups aka personal attacks. Cooper is still learning but a few articles misquoting him, taking comments out of context and/or outrightly lying will develop his callouses.
Josh
Roar Rookie
To be fair on Cronk, his comments was based on his very high opinion of Latrell, he could be the difference from the bunnies not making the eight and being premiership contenders. Meninga was very measured today, understands the criticism but also trusts Bennett's judgement. Still very early on and he has not had a full off season.
matth
Roar Guru
It was great. Like being on the sideline at Dolphin Oval back in the day.
Don Penson
Roar Rookie
Latrell needs to play football , bring him back to the centres let him get footy fit then start moving him around, Johnston is quality player and needs to be there.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Every tackle sounded like that
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Plenty of clubs were chasing after Mitchell but instead of lapping it all up and going fishing , maybe he could have been getting himself ready for the challenge of playing fullback and training harder than he's ever has. It shows a lack of respect for the new club but on the other hand they turn a blind eye to talented players nonsense at times and probably deserve to get punished now and again. As for the publicity being unfair to Mitchell, he has fanned the flames and declared he has always been his own man in effect. If he didn't want more scrutiny and headlines he could have signed with the Chooks and pulled his head in.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
There was a bloke called Barry Beath who used to play for the Dragons, pity he still wasn't they may have won that game against Penrith had he been,,,, :stoked: :stoked:
Rellum
Roar Guru
Lodge and Glen will make way I am sure, add in Boyd and McCullough and a reduced contract for Milford and I thin we can keep the main 6 - Hass, Fifita, Turpin, TPJ, Flegler and Carrigan. With some good young outside backs and half/hookers coming through we should be able to keep Staggs as well. It is more about them wanting to stay. The main way to keep them interested is looking like winning the comp.
Nat
Roar Guru
Webke
kk
Roar Pro
Cam Smith advised at the post game PC that there is only one (1) aircraft on charter for transporting NRL teams interstate and it's a case of wait your turn.
MarkD
Guest
Gday johnno2, think the brick with eyes was a Canberra boy. You might be thinking of Backo or Dowling?
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
That's good ALBO, He is a different style that suits the Broncos pack , a lot like Lazarus to me. Another great North Qld product.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"Leave him alone" says Mal Meninga, who well knows that fans will have their say because they can. That comes with the fame and fortune they all seek so avidly. This bloke is old enough at 24 to display some common sense and restraint. He does himself no favors with his immature outburst "Opinionated people need to keep their comments to themselves". Enough of that and he'll be alienating as many fans as those who eulogise him and, like it or not, it's their money which buys the tickets and the merchandise and the memberships which sustain him.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I found it unacceptable and inappropriate. And misogynistic.
Big Daddy
Guest
I think Lockyer may have been a little bit older and the fact he had a lot of game awareness than Mitchell has makes a big difference.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
I don’t think so mate. I’m over the way Kent, Gus and company go about their business nowadays. They are just turning into sport versions of Alan Jones and other outdated outspoken fossils that need to be out of the spotlight.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
They actually offered him 800k a year before “letting him go” mate