Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights

He wants to be a No.1 but has carved out a big reputation in the centres. After a stand-out Origin, just where does Latrell Mitchell fit best? Vote now! Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 09: Latrell Mitchell of the Blues reacts during game one of the 2021 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 09, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

State of Origin has reignited a debate we’ve been having about superstar Latrell Mitchell since he joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Is this wonderfully gifted football player a better fullback or centre?

From what we saw in Townsville last Wednesday night, you would be leaning towards centre.

Without the extra kilometres in his legs from covering so much territory out the back, Latrell was absolute dynamite whenever he touched the football.

He was even Matty Johns’ man-of-the-match ahead of Tom Trbojevic.

I recently rated the top 10 fullbacks in the NRL and had Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco and Ryan Papenhuyzen in the top three. Latrell was number five.

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Latrell Mitchell celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during game one of the State of Origin series. Picture: Getty Images

If we were naming the best centres, I’d have Latrell at number one in the world.

He won two competitions at the Roosters as a centre in 2018 and 2019.

He has more energy in the three-quarter line to work his magic.

Understandably Wayne Bennett continues to pick him in the number one jersey because he is the best fullback at the Rabbitohs.

The other option is Alex Johnston at fullback but he is such a try-scoring machine on the left wing.

Mitchell was absolute dynamite whenever he touched the football. Picture: Getty Images

Phil Rothfield runs the rule over another weekend of NRL action in Buzz’s highlights and lowlights.

HIGHLIGHT

The most magnificent edge-of-your-seat rugby league on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon as the Roosters edged out the Titans, 35-34 via the Sam Walker field goal.

The dismal state of rugby league in Queensland is very concerning. Picture: Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

The pathetic state of Queensland Rugby League. The Maroons, the Cowboys and the Broncos – beaten 138 to 40 in the last week. Plus the Titans have lost their last three. Don’t you just love it. And this is the state that thinks it’s ready for another team in Brisbane.

BUY A BEANIE

The Beanie for Brain Cancer round this weekend will feature the most treasured rugby league item that is going to auction. It is seriously as big as the Shane Warne Baggy Green cap. The Mark Hughes Foundation will make an announcement in the next couple of days.

This is a fantastic charity round in memory of Matty Callander, the old Channel 9 rugby league boss and a great bloke who lost a long and brave battle to brain cancer.

BEST NEW TALENT

The best advertisement ever for players leaving rugby league with their brains intact is old front-row enforcer James Graham. He is a smart and articulate person and the best new addition to Fox Sports and TV rugby league commentary for a long time.

BIG BOPPERS

Just as we were declaring Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris as clearly the best front-rower in the competition, the Roosters Jared Waerea-Hargreaves plays a full 80 minutes in his 250th game, runs for 199 metres and tops the tackle count with 44 hits. He is a great player.

SPOTTED

Origin heroes Jarome Luai and Brian To’o signing autographs and doing selfies for young Sharks fans at Kogarah Oval on Friday night for almost half an hour.

Good deed: Penrith stars Jarome Luai and Brian To'o sign autographs for young Cronulla fans.

SPOTTED

Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins at Easts Leagues Club watching the Roosters’ remarkable 35-34 victory over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon.

SPOTTED

Melbourne storm’s team bus broke down at Woy Woy on Saturday night on the way to their team hotel at Ettalong. There were many surprised onlookers driving past with Storm players on the side of the road waiting for their shuttles to the hotel.

360 VIEW

Join us on Monday night for a special edition of NRL 360 with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper after the Bulldogs v Dragons game around 6pm. Both coaches Trent Barrett and Anthony Griffin will join the show and we’ll dissect all the biggest issues from another dramatic round of footy.

Originally published as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights