Latrell Mitchell has to do more for Roosters or risk becoming a ‘moments’ player

HE’S still only 18 but Latrell Mitchell needs to offer more for the winless Sydney Roosters or risk developing some bad habits, writes Matthew Johns.

Roosters Latrell Mitchell after the loss in the Round 4 NRL game between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium,Moore Park.Picture Gregg Porteous

IT was midway through last season and I’d just witnessed Latrell ­Mitchell score a scintillating solo try in the last moment of an Under 20s match to steal victory for his Roosters.

I spoke to Roosters coach Trent Robinson several days after and made comment on Latrell’s try and obvious talent. Robinson was measured. “Matty, Latrell has enormous talent, problem is he only chooses to use it when he thinks it’s needed.”

Robinson’s comment could not have been more accurate. Watching a number of Roosters Under 20s games towards the end of last year, the storyline was basically the same each time. Latrell would drift along seemingly uninterested, but then suddenly explode in the dying moments and get his side home.

Latrell Mitchell has been a shining light for the Roosters but should he do more?

I sat and watched the Warriors’ extra-time win over the Roosters last Sunday with my dad Gary. My dad does three things very, very well. Drink beer, tell lies and spot rugby league talent. Every time Latrell touched the ball, my old man made a comment; “Jesus he can play!”

“What about that?”

“Clever player!”

“He’s a beauty that kid.”

Then finally; “He needs to do more.”

Latrell, take the tip from Gary Johns from Cessnock, you need to do more mate. Don’t get me wrong, you really can play, and yep I know you’re only 18, but let’s see how much influence you can really have on a match.

Mitchell has been likened to Greg Inglis since before he came into first grade.

At this point Mitchell is a “moments” player. He provides moments of magic which are pleasing to the eye. While being a “moments” player was good enough to dominate the Under 20s, it’s not enough to influence NRL games.

My concern is that even though Mitchell is only a very young player, habits can form, and if drifting in and out of contests becomes a permanent part of his make up, he won’t fulfil his enormous potential.

Take last Sunday as an example. His opposite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck never stopped. Roger’s touches of the ball were double of those of Latrell. But it’s not just the touches of the ball. Roger shadows everything.

Mitchell did things in the match which were pure class — the clever flick pass, catching the ball from the kick-off with one hand, while tip toeing on the dead ball line. I’ll admit I’m a fan, but his team needs more, particularly at the moment.

It’s tough. Latrell has arrived in the Roosters’ first grade side at a very difficult time. This is a side that is crying out for leadership. This difficult time at the Chooks has created an opportunity for one of the senior players to step forward and take the leadership role, and no one really has.

Rooster Latrell Mitchell is tackled during a Cowboys clash.

A few seasons back the arrival of Sonny Bill Williams transformed the Roosters club. At the time they were a club more synonymous with partying than winning. Sonny’s discipline in all areas of his life had a marked effect, not just on the team, but key individuals.

The current leadership void is a serious issue. When a side is zero from five, problems are obvious, but there are things creeping into the Roosters’ game that need fixing fast, and are symbolic of no strong personality, leading and controlling the playing group.

In the Manly loss I was alarmed to see young half Jackson Hastings deem it appropriate to sledge Jamie Lyon, one of the games great centres, a veteran of close to 300 first grade games and a man who has achieved it all.

That’s not on.

Likewise it was painful to watch Mitchell try and pat Brett Stewart on the head. Latrell should look up to Stewart, not try to belittle him.

It’s a bad look.

Latrell Mitchell reaches for the ball during Sydney Roosters training session.

Several nights later Mitchell responded on Channel 7 news, saying he’s been copping a fair bit of sledging himself since arriving in first grade. Every rookie does Latrell, it’s a rite of passage, the older blokes testing out the rookies to see what they’re made of.

Ask any NRL player or ex-player, and he’ll tell you how he was sledged as a young player. Paul Langmack never stopped sledging me when we played Wests in my first year. I couldn’t understand what he was saying but I knew it was bad. Ricky Stuart was also excellent at it. Did I give it back? Never even considered it. I knew my place. You ignore it and show it doesn’t affect you and by season two they turn their attention elsewhere.

Someone at the Roosters needs to grab Hastings and Mitchell and tell them to leave the sledging to the people who have played 100-plus games.

Their energies are needed elsewhere. Tonight the Roosters take on their oldest enemy, and it’s a particularly big night for Latrell as he takes on his hero, and the man he’s been compared to, Greg Inglis.

While I’m urging Mitchell to do more, the same can be said to Inglis.

Is G.I. carrying a knee injury? Or knowing the length of the season, holding back a little? One thing is certain, Souths don’t look a premiership force with Inglis quiet.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell has to do more for Roosters or risk becoming a ‘moments’ player