He’s been beaten from pillar to post in the past 18 months, and at times it has been warranted.
From his controversial omission from last year’s NSW Origin team to his departure from the Sydney Roosters, 2019 was a year of ups and downs for Latrell Mitchell yet he still went on to represent his country, claim a second straight NRL premiership and be crowned the league’s top point scorer once again.
And then in 2020 he would join the Roosters’ arch rivals the Rabbitohs, all to be criticised before a ball was kicked after he appeared in the NRL’s advertisement draped proudly and boldly in the Indigenous flag.
It enraged the minority as they sank back into their ignorant minds to complain once again.
Yet Mitchell kept smiling, as he always does.
(Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
He would then breach COVID-19 protocols as the season was suspended. It was an irresponsible and stupid decision he made and he rightfully copped his punishment.
Yet with everything Mitchell has received he still steps up to deliver. On the eve of the NRL’s annual Indigenous round, Mitchell is now the new and fresh face for Aboriginal athletes gracing rugby league fields across the country.
From his cheeky smile to his now routine Kangaroo celebration after another try, Mitchell is exactly what we need in today’s game. He attracts so much criticism yet continues to perform.
Many pundits argued against his move to fullback before the season started. Even I had my own doubts if Mitchell could manage the transition. His early rounds left a lot to be desired but since the resumption of the season, Mitchell has stood up once again.
And that is one thing you can never doubt from Mitchell. He always stands up for what he believes in, from shutting down racist trolls online to defending his mates on the field. You only have to look back in Round 9 when he ran to the defence of his teammate Campbell Graham after he was struck by Josh Reynolds’ wayward boots.
Did Mitchell maybe go too far? Sure. But ask his teammates. Ask his fans. They will all say they love him. Not only for his freakish athletic ability but for his passion, epitomised by the love he has for his Indigenous culture and through rugby league.
In the promotion advertisements shown on Fox Sports leading up this year’s Indigenous round, Mitchell was proudly shown once again.
“Sport is a massive thing in our culture, it connects us as people,” Mitchell said.
Always attracting that spotlight, Mitchell now stands as that connection too. His deadly palm is eerily similar to that of the great Greg Inglis.
Mitchell possess the unique combination of brute strength and ball-playing ability that makes him unlike many others in the league.
As Mitchell returns for this year’s Indigenous round for a club with a proud Aboriginal history, you can no doubt imagine he will garner plenty of attention. But as we come to expect from Mitchell, he will be the star once again.
Waza
Roar Rookie
What about Larry Corowa in the indigenous team , that man could burn the defenders like the Road Runner did Wile E Coyote
Skidmarx
Guest
Didn’t Laurie Daley captain that “pristine white” Origin side ? But you are Obtuse, Moose.
mushi
Roar Guru
Definitely, though I'm not sure all that back lash really came from the roosters fan base, it started long before he left. I think it's like most of the complaining around the '19 grand final doesn't wear lime green! Sadly, I imagine that if he looked like Jack Wighton there would be less
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m not suggesting all Roosters fans have been saying that but there definitely has been that commentary and weirdly from neutral fans as well I don’t think he’s an elite fullback either, I think his game is better suited to centre, but he has the talent to make a go of fullback I’d never question anyone who said they’d rather Manu at 550 than Mitchell at 800 There’s a level of aggression around anything Mitchell does that you don’t see with other players
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed I remember John Ferguson and Ray Blacklock playing for the Jets in the early 80s. I was always amazed at how two wingers were able to combine so regularly - they always seemed to know where the other one would be...it was magic
mushi
Roar Guru
I don't think he's an ungrateful traitor. I just don't think he's an elite fullback and I rated Manu higher. I'm kind of glad that we didn't lose Manu to pay LM ~30% more. He can be a bit of DH on the field like chambers or hodges but far from being a terrible guy. He's just erratic which means he gets a lot of criticism for the off games.
mushi
Roar Guru
Tough to say that Bennett isn't able to provide that. He got the best out of a lot of emotional players.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Always thought Preston Campbell was one of the best Little Man to play in the NRL. Wasn’t much between him and John Docking as Sharks Big little men(leaving T Bishop out of the comparison- in a class of his own)
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Geez train I better sell my Merc n buy a Holden
The Set Peace
Roar Rookie
Great article about a great player and a great Australian. When he left the Roosters, Rugby Australia should have chased hard for his signature, big miss for them as this is the sort of player that sells tv subscriptions Hope he gets some rep honours again this year.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah but he purchases a Mercedez last year... So clearly his mind isn't on footy... Or something...
Nick
Roar Guru
On the topic of Blacklock's, his nephew would have to be the best indigenous player to don the glorious Red V. A man who racked up tries faster than Greece racked up debt. Still has the best try scoring ratio of modern day footballer who has passed the 100 try milestone. 0.85 per game. Continually and wrongfully snubbed by the NSW selectors as well (in an era when the NSW teams were pristine white) The leading try scorer for 3 years running apparently wasn't an "Origin" winger.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Always am anonymous person who is jealous of talented people. Try harder and you might make it one day .
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
I met Latrell a few years ago just before his Origin debut, the man is exceptional. One of the most humble, kindest, and engaging footballers I have had the opportunity to speak with. He is a credit to rugby league, his family and his culture.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Latrell is an exciting and talented player. He needs to keep his anger in check though, I am noticing more and more the red mist descending. He cops a lot of stick and very little of it is warranted, but high profile players always do. He's still young and could be counted as one of the greats by the end of his career, or as another who lost his way. Only Latrell can control that outcome (except for injury retirement of course). The best way to judge a player is to ask yourself "would I want him at my club". Latrell would look good in black white and blue.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Very True. Robinson got the very best out of Latrell. Bellamy undoubtedly would get the very best out of him also. Bennett however is unable to acheive that with this season and with the likelihood of only 9 games remaining in Souths season. It appears that will not happen in 2020.
Rube
Guest
Always a victim!
Adam
Roar Guru
Cleary's behaviour was much worse in my opinion. Plus the dancing was terrible!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I did see that. I’d have Bowen at fullback and Inglis or Hodges in the wing - not ideal, but Mango needs to be at 1 Cracking side For my tips this week instead of writing about each game I tried to write a quick blurb about my all time favourite indigenous player from each club but it was too hard to do with the word limit Some good memories and great players: Graham Lyons, Bowen, Ewan McGrady, Ricky Walford, Steve Renouf, Chicka Ferguson and Ray Blacklock were some of the players I’d picked...
Rellum
Roar Guru
Did you see foxsports indigenous team of the decade, that team would romp in a comp win. Out standing players, including Mitchell. I would have had Matty Bowen at fullback and Wade Graham at lock but still, so many high quality players. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/a-future-immortal-and-seven-current-nrl-stars-indigenous-team-of-the-decade/news-story/03f45e0c53eb92f55523e5c993b966ec