Jack Wighton insists Latrell Mitchell still has a desire to play in the NRL as under-fire South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou rolls the dice on debutant Jye Gray with his job under increasing scrutiny.
Wighton was reluctant to discuss Mitchell, who has been suspended for three weeks to leave Demetriou short of star power heading into a run of games against Cronulla, Melbourne and Penrith.
Rabbitohs utility forward Siliva Havili revealed on Tuesday that the fullback had apologised for his latest brain snap, after using an elbow in a tackle with Shaun Johnson in Souths’ rudderless 34-4 loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
News of Mitchell’s apology came less than 24 hours after Phil Gould had questioned whether the suspended fullback retained the thirst to play in the NRL.
Wighton played down those concerns before refusing to answer questions about Mitchell, who ran with the reserves as Gray took over fullback duties ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Sharks.
“Of course he wants to play the game, but I’m not here to talk about Latrell,” Wighton said.
“If you want to ask Latrell questions, you talk to ‘Trell’, sorry.
“It’s not my place … I’m here to talk about me and what I can do for the team.
“I am a mate, and a mate protects a mate by not talking about him.”
Mitchell fronted South Sydney’s senior club figures on Tuesday in the wake of his sub-par start to the season which has culminated in a three-game ban.
Souths CEO Blake Solly told The Sydney Morning Herald that the meeting with Mitchell had been planned prior to the weekend’s events which followed similar on-field incidents when the 26-year-old was lucky to avoid a ban from the judiciary.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
He was also in the headlines for repeatedly swearing during a post-game interview after the Round 2 loss to Brisbane.
His poor form has contributed to Souths’ 1-4 start to the year heading into Saturday’s clash with Cronulla and coach Jason Demetriou is under pressure to avoid the sack, in part because of his refusal to pull Mitchell into line.
The cards could not have fallen any worse for Demetriou as he battles for his job.
But Wighton insisted the Bunnies had not given up on their coach as they bid to drag themselves out of the mire.
“We’ve all got his back,” Wighton said. “No one likes losing. We’re just in one of those patches, but we’re looking forward.
“We’ve got his back, and everyone in that building has each other’s backs.”
Gould on 100% Footy on Monday night claimed Mitchell could retire at a young age. “Has anyone ever sat Latrell down and said do you really want to play this game?,” he said on 100% Footy.
“Are you really in love with this game? Do you love the hard work? Do you love the discipline? Do you love your teammates? Do you love the club? Or is it just I’ll do it because I’m good at it but I’ll do it my own way.
“Has someone actually sat him down and said if you had a chance to walk away, would you go? I reckon he would. I reckon he will, I don’t see that he’s in love with it at all.”
A switch to centre has been mooted for Mitchell with Jack Wighton, rookie Jye Gray or even Cody Walker switching to fullback.
Gould said Mitchell lacked intensity in the effort areas of the game.
“He plays at his own pace, he plays at his own style and his own way. He picks and chooses his times. And he doesn’t put a lot of work into the effort areas of the game,” the former premiership-winning coach said.
“It feels as though there’s him and the rest of his team and they’ll all say the right thing and blend in and stick up for him. The game sticks up for him and everyone sticks up for him but Latrell doesn’t respond. He doesn’t respond to that.
“The problem is he’s an elite talent, an incredible talent, he can change games, he can influence results, no risk about that. But how long since he’s been doing that? He has little moments in games where things fall his way and he’ll do it, but he doesn’t go looking for work, he doesn’t go looking for big moments and it would seem at times he’s not where he should be at different times. That lets his team down as well.”
Mitchell’s current ban could have been worse – he wasn’t charged for a lifting tackle in the loss to the Warriors on Tohu Harris, with NRL head of football Graham Annesley revealing the South Sydney player had been given a “concerning act notice”.
“Latrell has been issued with a concerning act notice for that type of action,” Annesley said. “It didn’t warrant a charge because of the action that he took to avoid it turning into something that could’ve been much worse.”
Annesley refutes hip-drop confusion
The NRL’s football boss says referees are getting better at policing hip-drop tackles despite two players dodging suspension after being sin-binned in round five.
Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley and North Queensland halfback Chad Townsend were forced off for 10 minutes after laying hip-drop style tackles in their respective games.
But closer inspection cast doubt as to whether either shot featured the three elements of a hip-drop tackle: a defender holding a ball-carrier, twisting them and then applying full body weight onto their legs.
Repeat offender Radley was sin-binned during the final 10 minutes of the Roosters’ 30-26 loss to Canterbury, reducing his side to only 11 players as they fought to ice an unlikely comeback.
But the morning after the game, Radley avoided sanction altogether for the tackle, on Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.
“The match review committee deemed it to be accidental and not careless,” said the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley.
“It was knee falling onto the ankle. They also took into consideration the involvement of (Roosters utility) Connor Watson in the tackle.”
Townsend received only a $1,000 fine for his tackle on Gold Coast fullback Jayden Campbell, deemed a grade-one offence after the Cowboys’ 35-22 win on Sunday.
It wasn’t the first time in recent seasons the game-day referees and match review committee had differed in their assessments of hip-drop style tackles.
Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston was memorably sin-binned during last season’s Good Friday loss to South Sydney, only to avoid sanction the next day.
Conversely, Brisbane’s Pat Carrigan remained on field after laying a hip-drop tackle on Jackson Hastings late in the 2022 season but received a four-match ban in the days that followed.
Annesley has always been at pains to stress that assessing the severity of hip-drop tackles in real time is difficult for on-field match officials.
“We’ve seen cases in the past where players will be sin binned and there’ll be no charge, and we’ve seen cases where players aren’t sin binned but are charged,” Annesley said.
“Our objective is to try and have some degree of uniformity (between referees and the match review committee) in those decisions.
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“They won’t always be in complete alignment because of the different operating environments.
“I’m happy that the match officials have got much, much better at picking up the type of action involved in a hip drop.”
Elsewhere, Annesley downplayed criticism alleging Manly had knocked the ball on ahead of a try awarded to Tolu Koula in the 32-18 defeat of Penrith. Annesley was non-committal when asked whether he thought Tommy Talau had spilt the ball forward ahead of the try, which emboldened Manly to go on with things just before the half.
But Annesley noted the touch judge had been beside Talau at the time the ball went to ground. “I don’t think this is the outrageously bad decision that some people have suggested,” he said. “In fact, in some quarters, it’s had some support.”
with AAP
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
It’s hard to maintain discipline and hard work for something if you are “ just going through the motions” without any passion or inner fulfillment. People can be more fulfilled doing what their hearts are in on substantially less money.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well said Higgo, as "I'M AMAZED THAT JAY GRAY IS AT FB ALSO" but that should NOT surprise anyone who supports Souths, as these days everything is all A-UP anyway. Let's hope that Jay Gray is not going to be mismanaged like Taaffe was, as Taaffe is doing pretty well at the Dogs at FB (which is really nice to see) as he also had a blinder last week until Young got dirty on him for making that outstanding tackle and stopped him from scoring. :laughing: This Saturday's game Souths are going to be absolutely smashed by the Sharks if they don't change their attitude(s) and they continue playing like they did against the Warriors. I've very rarely tipped against the Bunnies in the last 70 years of being a hard-core Bunnies supporter, but with their 15 rounds 2023 performances and their abysmal 2024 performances, I've got no choice as I can't see them beating any sides in this comp except and maybe the Titans so far :laughing: but even the Titans made a comeback against the Cowboys which the Bunnies don't even seem to have that in them?
steveng
Roar Rookie
You are spot on Cam, Trell can't be at FB when he comes back, he needs to be in the centers and Jack at 5/8 and Cody at half, that is the most sensible change for Souths, as so far nothing has worked. Munro is a positive addition on the wing as we need a young tall speedy kid who can get things firing out wide, especially if Trell gets put in the centers and Munro is outside of him. But our forwards are just shockers as the only goers are Tom and Cam as the rest of them are just a bunch of fumbling boofs that get in each other's way, that display last week against the Warriors was absolutely embarrassing to watch, as they are that unfit that they can't even play the ball after 20min. Lets hope this side can turn things around as the talent is definitely there, as all the Bunnies fans want out of them is that they ALL HAVE A REAL GO :thumbup:
Cam
Roar Rookie
If Gray makes hay while the sun shines, it might make the shift back to the centres a whole lot easier. They could do worse than Wighton at 6, Walker to 7, and Trell in the centres with Tass. Munro is a good in for Souths this weekend and adds some much needed pace. They need another 50% more out of their pack though. Dropping Ilias for Dean Hawkins was a clanger and will come back to haunt them. Hawkins is a spud and puts more pressure on an out of form Walker.
Higgo
Roar Rookie
Tetley, i vote for you to take over when demetriou is rightfully sacked. Your player selections are spot on. I would love to see Jye Gray in the halves. He does seem to have that excitement factor in his play. I am amazed Jye has been chosen to play fullback. He is of small stature, no doubt filled with courage. It reminds me of the situation of Blake Taaffe, who was thrust into 1st grade at fullback following a Mitchell suspension. He proved himself to be a great courageous team player who, painfully for me, we let go because he was considered too small for fullback. Well, Gray looks smaller. I don't get Souths logic. I wish him the best against the sharks and I am sure he will do the jersey proud and try his best. Hope he has a blinder. But I would put Wighton at fullback and the rest of your team selections Tetley. I am not so clear on the need to drop Cook. He has been through some sleepier periods in his career but he has always refound his form. As a lifelong Souths supporter i am conflicted about the Sharks game. Alwayts hope we win, but if a loss results in Demetrious sacking then there is a silverlining. I wrote to the club last year demanding his sacking, when Sam Burgess was scapegoated. At the core of my concern, a first grade coach "liked" comments critical of two of his 1st grade players on social media following a loss. He suggested it was an unintended click. It was a disgraceful act even reading the rubbish in the first place.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Swapping Latrell for Lomax sounds just about on par for a club that let local legend, club captain and all-time points scorer Adam Reynolds go because he was too old, but then extended an underperforming Cody Walker until he turns 35yrs old :laughing:
Cam
Roar Rookie
If Trell had a little bit of ticker and and decent work rate, I reckon he'd could have been one of the greatest ever #13's in the game.
Pat-A-Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Whatever the comparative level of ability of LM and PG is irrelevant to the validity of PG's point, which I thought was the one of the first wise things that has been said about LM in ages. I suspect that PG would say that LM has far more natural talent than he did. He did describe him as a player of unprecedented quality. He was making the point though that unless that talent is applied its meaningless. For players with huge natural ability like LM the challenge is always desire and application; the mental challenge of walking the talk. LM is facing that, and at the moment is failing. I think it's therefore fair to say he doesn't want success in league enough to make the most of his talent. He has not been mentored by leaders experienced and wise enough to allow him to get the most out of himself. His reliance on talent and not application has been indulged to HIS detriment. For example, should he be playing FB? I have long thought Souths looks better with AJ at FB. Right or wrong the modern game relies on the back 3 (or even 5) doing more heavy lifting. Souths can't compete with LM. Look at how Manu contributes at centre. No reason LM can't impact the game. This is a come to jesus moment for LM and perhaps in his way PG is trying to gently prod him through his comment to think about whether he want to use or squander his immense sporting talent.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I doubt it. He already tried politics and was, unsurprisingly, an abject failure at that. They made him NSW Minister for Sport - generally a high profile portfolio - which lasted 2 years and achieved nothing. He was back benched and you never heard from him. He quit saying he didn't like politics (i personally think he was finding out that in politics, skeletons in the closet can come back to bite you, so fled NSW and Miranda). But he quit to become CEO of the Titans, where he promptly did nothing. In his 5 years at the Titans they finished 14th, 14th, 8th, 15th, 14th. Then on his way out the door, brought in Hayne, Gareth Brennan (remember him) to coach, Proctor, Cartwright and Peachey, destroying their salary cap with crazy over priced signings and almost ensuring they got the spoon the year after he left and they have ben rebuilding (again) ever since.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Oh come on TB! There hasn't been a "Rookie Journo" pecking out RL stories since AI stopped wearing nappies...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
If Mitchell doesn't get serious and Souths eventually decide to punt him, even though League loves a redemption story, what other club would sign him? Incidentally... I read in today's ESRL Newsletter, (aka The Sydney Morning Herald), that Mitchell and Radley are now joint record holders of the 'Most Sin-binned Player in NRL History' title.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Even if they were Latrell's answer's to those questions, they would not be the reasons to retire. If he is good at something where he can earn $700k a year (or whatever he is on), why would he retire and go work the next 50 years battling to earn $100k at something he may not be as good at?
Tetley
Roar Rookie
I thought Jye Gray was being blooded as a half to succeed Walker? If JD wants to shake things up I'd be I'd be putting him in the halves. Mitchell to centre. Wighton to fullback. Walker to 7. Mamouzelos to 9.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Its a lot better since they punted Parker
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Dragons can give Trell a run at 550K and play where you are told
Lastword
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't be missed if he retired. Pride of the league may replace him with somebody with a better attitude.
Lastword
Roar Rookie
When Trell rearranged Joey Manus face he said the game had to change not him. Overrated clown.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He certainly developed into one over his career - but that’s what he had to do as he wasn’t elite in natural talent. Really good captains are rarely close to the best player on teams. It’s because they are the best leaders. Gould actually coached one in Sean Garlick. I remember they used to joke he was a “specialist captain”. Also a great coach. Painful commentator though.
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
Should happen!
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Not sure that I'd describe a bloke that was chosen as 1st grade skip at the age of 20 as a plodder that had to bust his backside just to get a game, but each to their own. I'm not a fan of his opinions, but if you watch the old replay of the Manly vs Newtown dust up/finals match, you'll notice a pretty decent ball playing forward out there.