NRL 2022: Wayne Bennett backs Latrell Mitchell to take game to new level

The most influential coach of the past 35-years has declared South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell will dominate the 2022 NRL competition. Here’s how.

The most influential coach of the past 35-years has declared Latrell Mitchell will dominate the 2022 NRL competition while slamming suggestions the Rabbitohs star is a thug.
For the first time since 1986, supercoach Wayne Bennett will watch an NRL season from the sidelines, or more specifically, from his 32-hectare cattle farm in southern Queensland.
With just days until the much-anticipated 2022 footy season begins, the spotlight is set to shine on the game’s biggest names including Penrith premiership-winner Nathan Cleary, Manly ace Tom Trbojevic, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, Roosters gun James Tedesco and Mitchell at South Sydney.

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Every fan of the Bulldogs, Tigers, Dragons and Sharks are all hoping for a top-eight revival.

But it’s Mitchell — explosive on the field, just as much as he is off it — who former coach Bennett says is on the cusp of taking his game to an exciting new level.

Bennett, who will return to the NRL coaching furnace next year with The Dolphins, called on other players to show as much passion as Mitchell.

Latrell Mitchell is set for a huge season, says Wayne Bennett. Picture: NRL Photos

“I have such a high regard for Latrell because he is open and honest,” Bennett said. “He stands for something as a man. He never hides anything.

“The scary thing is we haven’t seen the best of him. He is only 23 years of age.

“We have not seen anywhere near the consistency he can play with.”

Mitchell will miss the Rabbitohs opening round road-trip to Brisbane due to a suspension over-hanging from his high shot on Roosters star Joey Manu last year.

His return match will be a blockbuster against premiership heavyweights, the Melbourne Storm, in round two.

“He did 10 weeks of suspension last year and he knows he can’t keep doing that,’’ Bennett said.

“It’s not who Latrell is. He is not a thug.

“I know thugs and Latrell is not that. He just plays with a competitive fire and not enough players have what Latrell has.

“More players should play with his passion.”

Latrell Mitchell’s is set to dominate 2022. Picture: NRL Images

The Rabbitohs are fifth favourites at $10 to win this year’s Provan-Summons trophy, according to the TAB.

Despite the heartache that lingers from falling short to the Panthers in last year’s grand final, scores of experts and commentators fear the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds to the Broncos and the exit of Bennett, who has been replaced by rookie coach Jason Demetriou, will prove too significant for the Rabbitohs to feature as prominent in 2022.

Bennett disagrees. “Souths will be fine this season without myself and Adam Reynolds,” Bennett said.

“They have been going through this transition for three or four seasons.

“First it was Greg Inglis, then we lost Sam Burgess and John Sutton. They were hugely influential on the team and despite that, we managed to make the grand final last year.

“Now Souths are losing Adam, but the success will continue.

“The nucleus of the squad has been there, done that.

“Cody Walker is into his 30s, Damien Cook has a number of years in him and Cameron Murray is at the peak of his career.

“You always have to be ready for transition, but we have prepared for this.

“Souths will know how to handle it. It’s not as though it was a last-minute thing.

“We knew this time last year I would be moving on and we began the planning process 12 months ago.”

Reynolds’ ineligibility for Brisbane’s season-opener against his former club at 8.05pm next Friday night due to Covid isolation is a blow for the NRL marketing team, but more importantly the Broncos.

Without a contract next season, no coach will begin the year under more pressure than Broncos coach Kevin Walters. The Panthers will launch the new season against the Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium at 8.05pm on Thursday night. Cleary is in a race against time to be fit for the match after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

The other round one matches are: Raiders against the Sharks at 6pm on Friday night, Roosters-Knights at 3pm on Saturday afternoon, Warriors host the Dragons at 5.30pm on Saturday evening, Wests Tigers at home against the Storm at 7.30pm, Parramatta clash with the Titans at 4pm on Sunday afternoon and the Cowboys against the Bulldogs in Townsville at 5.15pm on Sunday.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Wayne Bennett backs Latrell Mitchell to take game to new level