Latrell Mitchell closes in on NRL pointscoring record

Latrell Mitchell is posting Steve Smith-like numbers at the SCG and the Sydney Roosters star could be about to rewrite the rugby league record books.

Roosters' Latrell Mitchell scores another two points at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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WATCH out Ivan, Latrell’s coming to get you.

Should Latrell Mitchell continue his pointscoring blitz at the SCG on Saturday night, he will not only just about sink Penrith’s finals hopes, he will be within touching distance of their coach Ivan Cleary’s longstanding record with the Tricolours.

Given he missed last week’s big win over St George Illawarra, it will take a monumental effort, but Cleary’s mark of 284 points in a season, set in 1998, could come under threat from the Roosters superstar, who leads the competition on 239 points.

And it’s at the SCG where Mitchell has been racking up numbers Steve Smith would be proud of, outscoring the opposition this season at the famous ground 132-86 (11 tries, 44 goals) in his eight games and averaging 16.5 points per match, according to Fox Sports Stats.

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Latrell Mitchell slots another two points at the SCG.

Mitchell, who is the competition’s leading tryscorer with 17, has scored doubles in back-to-back games at the SCG and can become the third Rooster since 1980 to achieve the feat in three straight matches at one venue since Anthony Minichiello (2002 at SFS) and Daniel Tupou (2014 at SFS).

It’s not only Cleary who Mitchell is closing in on, he’s on track to join a couple of rugby league Immortals in the record books.

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He is aiming to become the first player since Immortal Mal Meninga in 1990 to lead the competition in both points and tries at the end of the regular season.

And he needs 16 points to join Immortal Dave Brown on 661 and be equal sixth on the Roosters’ all-time pointscorers’ list.

The Panthers must win their final two games and have results go their way to have any hope of playing in the finals and young centre Brent Naden is looking forward to the enormous challenge.

Ivan Cleary kicks a goal for the Roosters in 1996.

Legendary Dave Brown scored 661 points for Easts.

“It’s a very special ground for them and special game for us,’’ he said. “It’s a cricket ground and they are putting cricket scores on teams there.”

Trent Robinson’s Roosters have scored at least 20 points in each of their seven victories at the SCG and are out to become the second team to do it in eight games.

The Eastern Suburbs side of 1936-37 went 10 straight matches.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell closes in on NRL pointscoring record