Hit for six: Latrell done for season as verdict lands

Whilst i do not agree with your thoughts on my comment, i do agree with you that i do not want to hear about poor Latrell's mental issues because of this incident. I would prefer to see lengthy suspensions handed out on a more regular basis to finally get it through that this sort of behaviour no longer has a place in football.

I think Andy wrote a great article, fair and balanced and correct in pretty much every way. The only problem here is that expecting Latrell Mitchell to show personal leadership or growth by means of an apology seems...well insincere to me. If he had not hit Manu with his shoulder the swinging arm would have taken his head off, so what is the point in pretending to care about his welfare when he clearly set out to cause harm. I do not believe if the situation were reversed an Easts player would sincerely apologise for the same action, so it is easier to me just to skip the words, take his punishment and start working on how not to lose his temper and cost his team with his antics. I find his behaviour very similar to Toby Greene in the AFL, what good is talent if you are constantly off the field because of your ill-discipline.

I kinda agree with mr Big, but the first sentence of yours doesn't make sense 'Gee up'

As knwon in Nsw, it is 5;10 but in QSLD it is 50 to 6

First of let me say that Latrell did the wrong thing and has been punished for it. The Tackle was reckless and it was reasonably foreseeable (from Latrells pov) that something could go wrong when you run in to make a hit at that speed. The fact that something did go amiss is not all that surprising. Good summary. It wasn't a dog shot. He doesn't lead with the shoulder. He doesn't come in with a swinging arm. He comes in at the chest with soft arms trying to wrap. He doesn't jump into contact but makes absolutely no effort to lower his height at all, so it was always a high risk of easily being a penalty at the very least. And this is the type of tackle that they are trying to eliminate because a legal and safer alternative tackle is easy to make. Mitchell could have easily speared him in the guts making it impossible to get away an effective offload and absolutely smashed Manu in the process. The fact it's direct contact with the head makes it an easy lengthy suspension.

1979 semi Bulldogs V Magpies , one of the all time great games, Dogs won in an upset. Boyd headbutted Graeme Hughes in general play, penalty. Then Hughes returned serve with an uppercut in the next scrum, penalty.

Except for Manu. He hasn’t moved on. He is sat in a hotel bed in Brisbane eating through a straw…

Thank God Boyd took off to England

Well, a broken jaw & a broken eye socket & depressed cheekbone. Plus at least 2 other attacks on the heads of the opposition. All in 1 season. Les would be proud!

True, but Boyd was a special kind of mental

Exactly right. No initial intent to hit him high, he should have adjusted better though. These things happen, and Mitchell has apologised to Manu I believe. He made a mistake, got punished for it, and apologised. So we move on.

It's a good one - similar to deflection

The impression I got was that he definitely HAS apologised, and did so on the field too.

Why should we "have heard from him by now". I thought you wanted him to apologise to Joey Manu, not to us. Despite the common thinking these days, just because something doesn't get filmed, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

First of let me say that Latrell did the wrong thing and has been punished for it. The Tackle was reckless and it was reasonably foreseeable (from Latrells pov) that something could go wrong when you run in to make a hit at that speed. The fact that something did go amiss is not all that surprising. Having said that, I'm not sure I've ever seen the level of hysteria that has this incident has brought out in usually sensible people. For a start both Andrew Abdo and V'landys should know better than to come out and give their opinions on an incident before the actual charge has come out from the MRC. How about saying "Ï have no comment on the issue until the MRC has had a chance to look at it". Did they forget they are actually running the game and need to appear impartial. Then we have the numpties who come and say it was a deliberate dog act with absolutely no evidence to back it up. It was an accident pure and simple....albeit resulting from a reckless action on Latrell's part'. And players like JWH and Chrichton need to keep out of it. They have no place coming on to the field to confront Mitchell. They were not even in the side for crying out loud. Both should get hefty fines for their actions maybe even suspensions. G Burgess got 2 weeks for throwing an empty plastic water bottle from the bench so there's your benchmark. Seriously...people need to move on. Having said that, I will looking forward to Latrell's return clash against the Roosters next year. Will be a ratings bonanza.

KK, you have bred well. and I agree with your boy. LM has the x factor to not only score points but open u a game, you can see what he did in Origin. No doubt missing Latrell will impact our game, and rightly our premiership hopes have taken a dent (but not out). We've been through this before and I am sure the players will adapt. I am glad that he will be a training sessions and hopefully provide input to the spine and Blake Taafe. It goes without saying that we all wish Manu a good recovery, seems like it is which is positive.

Les Boyd broke Darryl Brohams jaw with an illegal tackle and got 12 months Mitchell got 6 weeks ?

yep and Sths will bow out in straight sets to, AGAIN

BM, My youngest Souths fanatic son pointed out to me that Latrell would have been good for 4-12 points and possibly setting up a like number. That is the missing link. Stressful times ahead. All that aside, I think Latrell's MH needs to be monitored closely. His attendance at training is probably an obligatory parade . What might have been! I wish Joseph Manu a positive recovery.

Dream on! No other team has to be focused on Mitchell in the finals. As he will be on Holidays! Unfortunately for South’s. Reynolds adds some balance & holds things together. Does some good things in attack. Virtually all the other attack comes through Walker & Mitchell adds to that, ‘Now it’s virtually all through Walker’. Good defence’s only need to stop Walker. Which they have been able to do!