Roosters could move Latrell Mitchell to five-eighth to stave off interest from South Sydney

A positional switch could be the key for the Roosters to hold on to superstar Latrell Mitchell amid interest from the archrival Rabbitohs.

Latrell Mitchell who did not train in the Sydney Roosters training session at Moore Park ahead of their match against the Tigers this weekend. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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The Sydney Roosters will make moves to secure Latrell Mitchell as the club’s long-term five-eighth despite speculation linking the star centre to archrivals South Sydney.

There have been whispers this week that Mitchell is being encouraged to consider the Rabbitohs as an option post Greg Inglis’s retirement.

The Roosters have heard the Souths talk but remain confident Mitchell will remain in Bondi long-term.

The defending champions see Mitchell as a five-eighth but are waiting on Cooper Cronk to decide his future before making a move.

The Roosters have Mitchell pegged as a five-eighth long-term. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

Cronk is off-contract and weighing up retirement but the Roosters are giving him the courtesy to make his own decision, which could include playing on.

Until then, the club have no plans to act on Mitchell – who isn’t off-contract until the end of the 2020 season.

It’s also understood that Souths have had no formal contact with Mitchell or his management.

Those close to Mitchell also believe he would be reluctant to wear the burden of following in Inglis’s footsteps should he link with the Rabbitohs.

It’s why a move to Souths for Mitchell would be unlikely.

The NSW and Australian representative also has close relationships at the Roosters.

Mitchell credits coach Trent Robinson for helping him become the star we see today.

Mitchell didn’t train on Tuesday. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

He also has the chance to earn more money at the Roosters if he moves to five-eighth whereas South Sydney already possess stable halves in Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds.

For now, Mitchell is focused on continuing his stellar form for the Roosters this season.

In seven games to date he has scored three tries, five try assists and 19 tackle breaks.

Mitchell has also kicked 28 goals to amass an impressive goal kicking conversion rate of 75.7%.

He will look to maintain his standout form when the Roosters host the Wests Tigers at the SCG on Saturday night from 7.35pm.

Originally published as Roosters could move Latrell Mitchell to five-eighth to stave off interest from South Sydney