NRL news: Lachlan Ilias backed to replace Adam Reynolds, Paulo could fill Gagai’s boots

After a breakout finish to the season, Blake Taaffe has been tipped to fill a huge hole at Souths. But, he could face stiff competition for the playmaking slot.

New South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has left the door open for Latrell Mitchell to transition into the halves but there is one Rabbitohs youngster who has edged ahead in the race to replace Adam Reynolds.

While Demetriou believes Mitchell can make a successful move into the no. 6 jumper, the coach is committed to playing him at fullback when he returns from suspension in round three.

“He might end up in the front row, Latrell can play anywhere,” Demetriou said.

“He’ll be our fullback when he comes back from suspension. He’s one of the elite fullbacks anywhere. I know how fond Latrell is of Blake. Blake will benefit from that as well.

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(L-R) South Sydney may struggle to fit both Blake Taaffe and Latrell Mitchell into the starting line-up. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It’s a natural evolution for a lot of ball-playing fullbacks to move into that six roles. It’s happened over the number of years with some high quality players and I think Latrell could handle that as well. It’s well within grasp.

“It’s something I can see in his future for sure.”

Mitchell hinted at a positional switch after endorsing rising playmaker Blake Taaffe, who filled in at No. 1 while the fullback is serving a six-week ban.

Taaffe has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Reynolds but hooker Damien Cook believes Lachlan Ilias is most likely to partner Cody Walker in the halves.

Lachlan Ilias has a similar style to departed half Adam Reynolds. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

“I’d like to think that’s probably Lachy at the moment,” Cook said.

“Taaffe has done a great job at fullback, so who knows what happens there with moving players around but I think Lachy is very similar to Reno so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him.”

Demetriou has also backed Dean Hawkins, who has been retained on a train-and-trial deal, to put his hand up and compete with Ilias and Taaffe for the halfback role over the summer. Ilias is recovering from off-season back surgery and is expecting to return to training in January.

“Lachlan is a genuine seven, Blake can play seven but he would be more like a running seven but Lachlan is a genuine kicking, organising half,” Demetriou told The Daily Telegraph as South Sydney announced MG Motor on a five-year major sponsorship deal.

We're excited to announce MG Motor as a Major Corporate Partner for the next five seasons! Welcome to the Rabbitohs family guys! 🤝🥰🐰❤️ #GoRabbitohs

Read more 👉 https://t.co/fKjn3jJisJpic.twitter.com/TVfEishMK6

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) December 9, 2021

“We’ve got Dean Hawkins there as well. He did a good job for us in a couple of games last year and then was thrown in the deep end with eight first graders missing against Melbourne.

“We didn’t want to let Deano go, I’m still confident there’s a quality NRL player in there as well.”

The departures of Dane Gagai and Braidon Burns means a centre spot in Demetriou’s round one side is also up for grabs.

Jaxson Paulo has played on an edge since making his debut in 2020 but Demetriou is preparing to try the 22-year old at left centre.

“Taane Milne showed last year what he was capable of off the back of a knee reconstruction, he’s going to have a big pre-season this year,” Demetriou said.

“I always thought Jaxson was more a centre than a winger, he brings a lot of quality into that position as well. We’ve two young kids in Terrell Kalo Kalo and Josiah Karapani coming through.”

‘PRETTY INTERESTED’: LATRELL’S SHOCK POSITION SWITCH CALL

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has hinted at a positional change in season 2022 which could see a shake-up in new coach Jason Demetriou’s backline.

Rising playmaker Blake Taaffe stepped into Mitchell’s No. 1 jumper after the fullback copped a six-week suspension for a high shot on Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu in round 24.

Despite being a specialist halfback, Taaffe was impressive during his cameo at the back in the last round of the season and into the finals series.

Taaffe is earmarked as the frontrunner to replace Adam Reynolds alongside Cody Walker in the halves in season 2022. But asked if Taaffe was now a chance at retaining the fullback spot, Mitchell suggested he could be tossing up a change in position.

“I don’t know yet. We’ll have to wait and see but I’m pretty interested in another position,” Mitchell said with a laugh.

Latrell Mitchell has collaborated with his uncle Maurice Goolagong to produce some Indigenous art to sell as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Picture: Toby Zerna

When pressed just where that “other position” would be, Mitchell insisted the biggest impact he has on the Rabbitohs’ attack is from the back.

“But I love fullback, I enjoy it,” Mitchell said. “I think I have a big impact at the back with our front-rowers going forward with me doing my part.”

Speaking at the launch of his Indigenous NFT art collection, Mitchell revealed Taaffe was the reason he decided to stay in camp after being suspended for the shot on Manu.

“I love Blake,” he said. “I would have done the ‘old Latrell’ and gone back to Taree when I got suspended but I thought I would stick around and help mentor him. Get his confidence up. I know what kind of player he is, all I had to do was bring the confidence out of him.”

With Dane Gagai and Braidon Burns departing the club at the end of season 2021, Demetriou is also searching for a centre, the same position Mithcell won two premierships at the Roosters.

Mitchell, who has spent the off-season at his farm in Taree, is launching the first dreamtime NFT art collection, in collaboration with Stadio, as a celebration of his Indigenous culture. The artwork is paint by his uncle Maurice Goolagong.

“The artwork is the first ever dreamtime NFT, it’s something to be proud of to help put my culture all over the world.” Mitchell said.

“It’s about having tokens of myself in online form.

“It’s a different way to be a modern day black fella, I suppose. I’m going to enjoy the space and learn on the way. It’ll be great to give back to my community and culture.”

The NFTs can be bought and traded as digital possessions. Mitchell’s NFTs can increase in value with increased success on the football field.

Mitchell also plans to put some of the proceeds back into the Indigenous community

“I love winning comps, I’ve done it twice and I’d love to do it another two times,” he said. “The NFTs are another avenue for my brand and show people I’m not a bad bloke off the field. I love my people, I love my culture and it would be great to put the money into something that is a good cause.”

Latrell Mitchell is turning his on-field success into expanding his brand off the field.

It’s the latest business endeavour for Mitchell, who is planning to turn his farm into a working cattle station and has a clothing label in the pipeline.

Mitchell is hoping his entrepreneurial ways can help inspire the next crop of NRL stars to become more financially savvy.

“I always said to myself I didn’t want to be like the fellas before me who don’t have nothing to show for it,” Mitchell said.

“I have a couple properties under my name now and I’m the first person in my family to own a property. I’m pretty proud of that. For me to pass on what I know to a kid coming through at 18 or 19, it’s something to take pride on. I’m here to help.”

The 24-year old is expected back at pre-season training with the Rabbitohs in January.

Mitchell’s first game back from suspension will be against former club and arch rivals the Roosters in round three. It will also be the first time he faces former Roosters teammates after the Manu hit.

“People want to see the game, it’s going to happen eventually so why not put it when I come back,” Mitchell said.

“It’s a game of footy, I’ve had to move on and from all the criticism I have copped but that’s the game we play. You fellas [the media] control the narrative, and I can take that back now.”

Originally published as NRL news: Lachlan Ilias backed to replace Adam Reynolds, Paulo could fill Gagai’s boots