Latrell Mitchell has nipped a year of contract speculation in the bud, re-signing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs for two more years on the eve of the 2021 season.
The Rabbitohs fullback was set to have his contract expire at the conclusion of the coming season but will now stay with the club he left the Sydney Roosters for until the end of 2023.
Since bursting onto the scene with the Roosters in 2016, the now 23-year-old was the subject of relentless rumours and speculation in 2019 – with media outlets reporting on an allegedly painful negotiation process with the Roosters. Ultimately, the Indigenous All Star crossed to his old club’s arch rivals ahead of 2020, making the switch from centre to fullback at the same time.
Mitchell has played 111 first grade games, scoring 69 tries during that time. He has also represented New South Wales in State of Origin, the Indigenous All Stars and Australia in Tests. He struggled initially in his first year at Souths, scoring just four tries in 14 matches, but was picking up steam before a hamstring injury prematurely ended his season.
In a South Sydney club statement, Mitchell said he was “really confident that we can achieve what we want to achieve in the coming seasons.”
“It’s a special club and a special group of players and it means a lot to me and my family to represent South Sydney.
“We want to create more history for this Club and its people and I can’t wait to be part of it,” he said.
South Sydney’s head of football, Mark Ellison, praised Mitchell for the hard work he was putting in behind the scenes as he worked to both rehabilitate from his injury and improve as a player.
“Everyone recognises the natural talent that Latrell has, however not everyone gets to see the hard work he puts into his game at training and in the gym.
“He is a community leader amongst Indigenous people and he has a strong voice on issues that affect us all,” he said.
The Rabbitohs kick off their season in 2021’s opening match, against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Thursday, March 11.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Mitchell, the new Greg Inglis. Champion.
criag
Roar Rookie
I just want a time machine so Uncle Nick gets a chance to change his mind about not offering a new contract.
criag
Roar Rookie
Yes, there is nothing wrong with being the best centre in the world, and it's a pity it isn't seen as important as other positions in the modern game.
Kobi
Guest
LM is not a fullback he is best suited to centre. He playrd his best footy at centre when at the roosters. He will not displace Tedesco as nsw or autralian fullback anytime soon. As a centre he will make both sides, choice is up to him if he wants rep footy.
Adam
Roar Guru
Completely agree with the age statement. Tede has really only become the elite fullback in what the last 3-4 seasons.
Adam
Roar Guru
If Turbo can string together a whole season...
Rob
Guest
And at 22 Latrell was also named Dally M centre of the year. Think Latrell should be at least given another year or two before the comparisons to the top tier fullbacks are made.
mushi
Roar Guru
But at 22 RTS was Dally M fullback of the year and the top metre maker I think.
Nat
Roar Guru
Look at Benji as an example. Uber talented and influencial premiership winner early in his career. He did rest on that for a while but as maturity set it, he is still a high quality player but more a leader through actions.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"trying to compare him to guys like Teddy and RTS" Who, pray, are Teddy and RTS? Do they have conventional names by which occasional League followers may recognise them?
Walter Black
Guest
"I pretty much guarantee that everyone of them has never had the talent Mitchell as so had to work hard to get to where they are." That is, pretty much, my point. At the moment, he gets away with it because he rides his talent. But if he isn't working at it now then in 5 years when he is ballooning out and slowing down, he will find it very hard to suddenly switch on the effort. Like Hardyards, I like watching a good player playing well and I want to see Lattrell make the most of his career but at the moment, I fear that he is throwing it all away.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That’s it Nat. Part of the work ethic that many develop is through necessity. Now Mitchell is such a talent that he’s basically gotten to where he is today without needing to one extra outside club training.
Rob
Guest
All fair points although they may be things that he improves on as he gets older. It's easy to forget that he's still only 23 as he's been in the league from such a young age. He's still got plenty of footy ahead of him so it's hard to judge whether or not he will or wont reach his potential just yet. Probably a touch unfair that us fans are trying to compare him to guys like Teddy and RTS. Teddy for example was no where near the player he is today when he was 23.
Walter Black
Guest
I think you have just hit the nail on the head.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
That's fair and I did say he may just develop his own unique style of FB play that's elevates him to the top echelon of FBs. As for the GI comparison. Well he doesn't have GIs pace. He can't score a try like the one GI scored agains the Broncs. He has a decent fend but its not in the GI class. He can score a power try like GI did after he bulked up so he has that. One thing that may raise him up from good to great is his ball playing. It can be sublime at times. Maybe he will take FB ball playing to new heights. Who knows. I love centres and some of my disappointment with Latrell is not seeing him reach his peak in that position I am almost certain he makes elite company in the number 4. In the one, good maybe his ceiling.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yes Nat. There is a big space between where he is and where we all want him to be. You know, many are called but few are chosen. Character is the main difference. If that was implanted in childhood then he might be part of the elite. Good luck to him, and to Souths,
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Jimmy, "He could have been up there with the all time greats at centre imo but the modern game just doesn’t reward brilliant centres very well." I generally agree with your statement, but in his case he was being offered the big bucks to play centre still. He may have been thinking he could be a "best of the best" FB in which case he could earn more, but he would be have been/would currently be on more if he had of signed as a centre instead of insisting on a FB role.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I'm not so sure Latrell will reach his true potential. Even though I'm a fan of his and liked many positive comments about him, I now have my doubts. Every player who reaches the peak of his game has all the attributes like talent, first and foremost, dedication to the task, a ruthless competitive streak, willing to learn, respect for his team mates and coach and a never-say-die attitude. Freddie Fittler dropped Latrell after game 1 SOO in 2019 because of his lack of intensity in certain aspects of his game, like a half-hearted chase after a kick where he left it up to his mates to follow through at pace. These are what the coaches call the one percenters that differentiate between good players and great players where Latrell falls behind. A "killer" instinct would have had him busting his gut to chase that kick, but he doesn't have that instinct which could keep him out of rep footy. He's a classy player but needs to give more in fitness training to reach his peak. Maybe the master coach can ignite the fire in him, maybe not.
Paul
Roar Guru
I guess that's because they have to work harder for their money, Andrew :happy:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t think Latrell will ever be the high touch, high involvement fullback like a Slater or a Tedesco But that’s okay, Inglis wasn’t either and plenty of fullbacks haven’t been Bennett and Latrell showed last season that he can be a really good (and maybe better that) fullback without a super high work rate...