Latrell Mitchell news: NRL legends shut down potential South Sydney Rabbitohs switch

Liam O'Loughlin

Latrell Mitchell news: NRL legends shut down potential South Sydney Rabbitohs switch image

South Sydney's season may be over, but there are still a number of question marks over the future of the club following a tumultuous second-half of the NRL season.

After going from top of the ladder after Round 11 to missing the finals for the first time since 2017, the out-of-sorts Rabbitohs will now begin an internal review and address a myriad of topics.

The likes of Latrell Mitchell and Jason Demetriou have both received criticism in recent weeks, while the departure of Sam Burgess from his coaching role raised plenty of alarm bells. 

According to The Sydney Morning Heraldthe club are potentially looking at moving Latrell to the centres to accomodate incoming Raiders star Jack Wighton, who has signed a four-year deal with the Bunnies.

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NRL legends shut down potential Latrell Mitchell switch

Speaking on 100% Footy on Monday night following South Sydney's elimination from finals contention, Paul Gallen questioned the merits of moving the NSW and Kangaroos star away from the No.1 jumper. 

"I don't understand where this talk about Latrell at fullback has come from," the Cronulla legend said.

"Latrell as a fullback has never changed the way he plays, he's always been able to do things other people just can't do on the football field, we know that.

"He's never been an effort player, he's never been the player backing up the middle, he's never been the player making 20 runs a game for 200 metres, he's never been that Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco type player.

"He's always just had that x-factor, and can do things other players can't do."

Wighton hasn't been used as a fullback for Canberra for many years and was signed with the expectations of playing centre, while the exit of young speedster Blake Taaffe takes away the depth in the role at Redfern.

Bulldogs boss Phil Gould also questioned Latrell's move back to the position he made his name at the Roosters playing, instead claiming the embattled club need to address more pressing issues in the short-term.

"I don't think it's anyone's business bar the coach, I don't know who in the club would be questioning where the coach plays him or why suddenly after this game," he said.

"I mean, they lost on the weekend because Latrell didn't play, had he played it could've been a very different story. But arguing right now about where Latrell plays next year I don't think is a major part of the review whatsoever.

"Certainly there are other factors there that a far more important for South Sydney and why it fell away the way it did, without questioning where Latrell plays next year.

"That's not the solution to their issues."

Latrell Mitchell 2023 NRL stats

Games 16
Tries 9
Try Assists 12
Linebreaks 3
Linebreak Assists 17
Offloads 20
Avg. Run Metres 128m

 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.