First cracks in NSW planning over Latrell Mitchell eligibility leaves heat on Blues selectors

The Maroons secretly love a little bit of drama south of the border and the mystery shrouding Latrell Mitchell’s Origin availability has been welcomed by all, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Queenslanders say they don’t care what their opposition is up to. Don’t believe it. They secretly love a bit of drama south of the border.

News that Latrell Mitchell, 26, is thinking of skipping the State of Origin series to concentrate on resurrecting Souths has been welcomed north of the Tweed.

It’s not that Queensland wobbles at the knees at the mention of Mitchell’s name even though they concede some of his best moments in Origin – three years ago now – were outstanding.

It’s just that every move around his selection creates drama and uncertainty which has the ability to make NSW’s plan for an Origin revival wobble on its axis.

So many questions are hanging in the air.

Latrell Mitchell has provided plenty of highlights for the Blues. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Was Mitchell even in new coach Michael Maguire plans in the first place?

Would he be match fit for the series opener after playing perhaps just three games after suspension before the series opener?

Is it just a rumour that he wants to concentrate on Souths or will he eventually make an announcement?

And if the Rabbitohs find form will he change his mind and join the series for later games?

Queensland loves to see uncertainty hovering over the Blues because the Maroons will need every break they can get this year in a series which starts in Sydney then moves to Melbourne before heading to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

If Mitchell, who has not played Origin for three years, does declare himself available there is a chance the fate of the Blues in this series could be decided in the selection room because – great though he is at his peak – others have better recent form.

Mitchell wants to focus on his form for South Sydney. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

With James Tedesco at fullback and Tom Trbojevic a likely choice at centre, Maguire must decide whether to take a punt on Mitchell turning back the clock in the centres or giving more match hardened Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Kotoni Staggs or Bradman Best a break.

Big call. Get it right, strike gold, and you might just turn the tide and inflict the first series defeat of the Billy Slater era.

Get it wrong, lose the opening game on your home turf and the Blues can basically kiss the series goodbye for a third year in a row.

Maguire’s initial response to the Mitchell speculation was measured but still telling when he said while everyone knew the capability of Mitchell it was all about making sure he was “in the right headspace.,”

That sounds like a coach who is taking nothing for granted. This is not a great Queensland team but it still a very good one. Among their greatest qualities is that they are as tight as a drum. The Blues will need to plot cleverly to beat them.