The experiment could be over, and I don’t know whether Souths fans should be sad or excited because new recruit Latrell Mitchell has reverted to centre. But at what cost?
The COVID-19 pandemic has suspended the NRL competition for the time being, but Wayne Bennett is going to have a tough chat with Mitchell.
He started his fullback career at Souths very poorly, after playing 55 minutes in Round 1 with six runs for 61 metres, one tackle break and one error.
His Round 2 stats look slightly better. He played 80 minutes but the final 20 minutes was out at left centre replacing Braidon Burns while Alex Johnston played fullback. But Mitchell looked good at centre having a couple of good runs but threw a wobbly ball to Campbell Graham that went out over the sideline.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Alex Johnston came on the field with 22 minutes left and had seven runs for 38 metres and scored a try off a rebound from a Broncos player.
South Sydney are 1-1 after winning in Round 1 against the Sharks 22-18, then producing a very disappointing performance against the Broncos where they lost 22-18.
If this centre switch is to go ahead with Latrell Mitchell, then Burns will be taken out of the side and Alex Johnston will play fullback.
There is nothing official yet out of Redfern and I don’t think Mitchell will be happy because he did get told he’ll be playing fullback and to replace teammate and good friend Braidon Burns may not sit well with Mitchell.
The other option for Souths is possibly moving James Roberts to fullback and putting Mitchell in his right centre position or putting Braidon Burns at fullback and putting Mitchell in left centre.
It’s a shame that NRL fans won’t get to see Mitchell go head to head with his former club the Roosters this weekend after the NRL suspended the season on Monday.
HENRIK
Guest
I don't believe everything I read in the the paper but if remember correctly Tedesco signed for 800 K and then 2 mnths later it was reported he was on 1mil I think. Point being every comment on here is an opinion only. Don't take your self so serious ul get heartburn
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
There's nothing to say Mitchell can't play fullback to a satisfactory level. The question is whether it's elite level (in the context of the NRL).
mushi
Roar Guru
As for he's not implying. If I apply for a job there is the implication that at the very least I am representing that I believe I have the skills for the job. If I say I want to be a director of company X and get paid Y to do so and here's my body of work then I'd think it's pretty clear that I'm implicitly representing I believe in my capabilities to fulfill that role to a satisfactory level, there's definitely an implication if I accept the job
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not implied you have the ability to do the job immediately. It's saying you want the opportunity to show you can do it.
mushi
Roar Guru
No that's patently incorrect. That would be stating that you are an elite fullback, not implying. As soon as you make an explicit reference it can not be an implication.
mushi
Roar Guru
No one? Really? I think my post I disproved the statement before you made it. It's commonsense: If you're debating a position then it's impossible for everyone to already be in agreement with you.
mushi
Roar Guru
So common sense debunks the what, four decades plus, of research on employment decision drivers. There you have it Insead, LBE, Harvard and Wharton close down those business schools because da skool of Henrick is comin’ at ya wit some common sense truth bombs – for FREE y’all
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yep. Performing well at fullback you can get picked at centre or wing even if you aren't first choice 1.
mushi
Roar Guru
Also reduces rep payments and sponsorship revenue probably.
HENRIK
Guest
Yep and no one believed that either
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. Saying "Give me $1M I'm an elite fullback" is. Saying you want the opportunity to play fullback isn't. It's saying you want the chance to prove you can me.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I honestly think Mitchell took the risk on less money in 2020 at Souths because if he builds into a good fullback he's worth a lot in 2021 and beyond. The risk is he goes to the Tigers, gets more for 2020, doesn't look as good in a poor team and then at the end of his contract is worth less, when player wages are worth more due to natural inflation.
mushi
Roar Guru
Um isn't that selling yourself as a fullback, unless you follow up with "but I think I'll be rubbish and only able to play 75% of the game" then it's kind of implied that you're saying you have the capability to do the job.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So when all reports say otherwise, ignoring that and deciding what you want is "common sense"?
mushi
Roar Guru
Colour me Naive then, as wasn't that the line we ran with Tedesco. I could imagine LM looking at Teddy's life pre and post Tigers and decide that he was too young to do that to himself.
HENRIK
Guest
Common Sense !!
mushi
Roar Guru
Definitely not at fullback!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He never sold himself as a fullback. He said he wanted the opportunity to play fullback.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
By "slink off" you mean go be with his family. Mitchell is clearly somebody who has never had to seek out knowledge on S&C. He's not going to have the first clue on managing his own S&C for an extended period. Many players won't.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What's your evidence he did?