The South Sydney Rabbitohs are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the competition.
After just six rounds, I still expect to see them in the grand final come October and I can only see the Melbourne Storm or Penrith Panthers being in a position to beat them.
One thing I have particularly enjoyed about the Bunnies this year is the form of both Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell. The combination between these two continues to go from strength to strength and Mitchell, in particular, has been outstanding.
I questioned whether the move to fullback would suit Mitchell and am happy to eat my words on that; he has made the position his own and is actively getting involved, is clearly enjoying his footy, and has been extremely effective in both attack and defence.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
But while I love watching these two compete, it’s become increasingly clear that both have a slightly ugly side to their game.
On Good Friday, South Sydney beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 38-0. But a big win was marred by two incidents featuring Walker.
The first was an elbow to the head of Nick Meaney in the process of completing a tackle. For this behaviour, Walker was suspended for a week.
The second incident was a deliberate stomping on the foot of Corey Waddell for no reason. Surprisingly, Walker was only fined for this incident, when he should have spent time on the sideline. There is no place for stomping – it is ugly behaviour and an exceptionally bad look for the game.
It’s also unclear why this niggling is any part of Walker’s game. His side had a commanding lead, the Bulldogs are near rock bottom and there is no significant rivalry between the two clubs.
Despite controlling a game so beautifully, there are moments when Walker seemingly loses control. This is a shame.
Mitchell was also involved in some less-than-ideal behaviour in the win over the Wests Tigers on the weekend, with is dangerous-contact charge for an elbow to the head of David Nofoaluma seeing him miss four weeks.
In that same game, Mitchell was also fined $1600 for a wayward boot that struck Luke Garner while trying to get up from a tackle, and for sliding on top of Garner after a try early in the second half.
The wayward boot probably copped the most heat on social media but while I could see how Mitchell was trying to get out of a tackle, the other two incidents were ugly.
This is not an attack on Mitchell or Walker. Many other NRL players have aggression and niggle in their game – Jack Hetherington seems to spend as much time on the sidelines as he does on the field.
Jack Hetherington of the Bulldogs walks from the field after being sent off. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
But the Rabbitohs’ duo are better than this.
I want Mitchell and Walker to be recognised and remembered for the great players they are and their supreme talent. Grubby behaviour only detracts from that and could see one or both of them sent off in or suspended from crucial matches.
It has already been costly for Mitchell, who will miss four weeks of footy and for every game he’s out, he is deducted three Dally M Points – so 12 points. Mitchell is currently first on the leader board, but this will likely see him miss out on winning the game’s most prestigious individual honour in a year where he was a serious contender.
Additionally, we are coming closer to State of Origin selection. While Mitchell is a shoo-in to play for NSW, missing up to four games will not help, particularly in a scenario where the Blues seem to be flush with backline talent.
This is a plea to both players to consider their behaviour because they are both better than these ‘brain explosion’ incidents that not only impact them and their team, but are just a really bad look for rugby league.
One Man Banned
Roar Rookie
Papa Sparty can’t come to the phone right now so I’ll answer for them… go with your your third suggestion Emcie. Both! :stoked: :thumbup:
Muzz
Guest
Lazy sums it up. My experience in elite sport has nothing to do with the article.
mushi
Roar Guru
According to souths fans I'd be allowed to elbow someone in the face because of this injustice!
Short Memory
Guest
As big a problem as ill discipline is lack of personal accountability. LM has learned nothing from being dropped from SOO. And he's learned nothing from this suspension. Until he grows up and accepts that his actions have repercussions, he will not fulfil his potential as a player or as a man.
Short Memory
Guest
It wasn't an elbow - which is hard and bony and can do serious damage and everyone agrees really oughtn't be swung into an opponent's head. It was the blade of his forearm - which is hard and bony and can do serious damage and yet some folks seem to think is ok to swing into an opponent's head. (Depending on which team you support...)
Short Memory
Guest
Nothing like a low energy shot from a jumping, spinning 110kg bloke's forearm to clear the cobwebs.
Short Memory
Guest
BM there are two big differences between the other players you mention who are constantly before the judiciary for grubby play and the two mentioned in Mary's articles. 1) The other players have received plenty of press mentions about the need to clean up their games 2) None of the others are star playmakers. CW and LM are brilliant stars of the game. Kids look up to them. They need to do better. Fans making excuses for them out of team loyalty is not doing anyone any favours. Both need to cut out the cr** and be the players - and the men - they are capable of being.
Short Memory
Guest
No question the NRL got it wrong giving Kaufusi only 2 weeks for his cheap shot, while giving Latrell 3 weeks for his (the extra week was for contesting the charge). But your argument that therefore they should have got it wrong again is really not logical. How about instead we insist they continue to get it right - as they have with LM?
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Kento - he must have! :laughing:
Joister
Roar Rookie
Mary and others, I've read through the comments (at least I'm pretty sure I have with respect the following question?). I thought Rads was due for suspension and was curious if what the storm said about the incident could have been used as a limiting influence / in defence? I know some comments have made mention of how Rads defence made reference to previous incidents (e.g. Mitchell's previous years).
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
And yet we have some one else sticking their nose. Rothfield decides to ring Pete V'Landys to express his displeasure that 4 weeks is too much for young Latrell , Pete says we'll have an investigation into the judiciary system . Where does it end. If V'Landys does stick his nose into it I'm done with rugby league , or more appropriately the NRL.
GregM
Roar Rookie
think Papenhuyzen will be Freddies "go to man" to fill any backline position off the bench in Origin, as he found out the hard way last year.
GregM
Roar Rookie
St George Illawarra 1 premiership in 22 years? (sounds better than 41 years)
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
it must suck when you have one of these https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/8365032/270-emoji-unicode-release-2019/
Pepito
Guest
Spoken by someone who's experience in elite sport is watching it on TV... Careful with the use of the term "lazy" yeah?
pepito
Guest
Oh, rothfield and Hooper, the great minds of the NRL. Solid argument!! That's like saying Kyle Sandilands can comment on the high Court rulings cause he was a TV judge. Well done, son. Mitchell haa found guilty by a tribunal in a room with expert sport lawyers. The law has spoken. Your dad clearly belted the brain cells out of you with his "gentle" elbows to your head. God knows what you are doing to your son... I'm sure he'll enjoy a fine life in prison though. You're absolutely right what ever he did to you if not my business. Still, he's a flog, much like his son. I pity the welfare of your kids though. He must be that guy you see doing the rounds in the prison yard...
Randy
Roar Rookie
I don't think Walker does, he is really gracious and relaxed in his interviews. Mitchell on the other hand....
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
By the way, I did understand the reference to chooks and cackling. And yes I agree, ad meloria. We should always hope for better things.
Muzz
Guest
Couldn't agree more Mary. Mitchell will never reach his full potential! He's too lazy and that's why he changed clubs.
Muzz
Guest
You've made your bed. Question is how do you turn things around in the modern game? It's very difficult.