Latrell Mitchell set to be NRL’s biggest fullback at 108kg
Panthers legend Greg Alexander has backed Latrell Mitchell to be one of the NRL’s top fullbacks if he can drop some weight before the start of the 2020 NRL season.
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Latrell Mitchell will have to lose 15kg and find another 66 metres a game to become just an average fullback.
That is the sober reality check for South Sydney and their star signing, with statistics obtained by The Sunday Telegraph revealing Mitchell is facing a herculean task to be ready for a fullback switch in round one.
Just 55 days away from the Rabbitohs’ season-opening clash against the Sharks on March 16, Mitchell is an estimated 15kg heavier than the average NRL fullback after gaining at least 5kg during his extended off-season.
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Mitchell returned to full-time training weighing an estimated 108kg. The average weight of all the NRL’s starting fullbacks in round 26 last year was 92.8kg.
Mitchell also only averaged 78 running metres a game as a centre for the Roosters. The average distance run by an NRL fullback was 144.5m, according to Fox Sports stats.
While his weight and running metres were both up to scratch for a centre, Mitchell’s cardiovascular fitness and endurance will be tested like never before should he make the switch to the back.
Mitchell went 100 days without training, with his first session since the 2019 NRL grand final completed on Tuesday.
Despite limited time to prepare and the enormity of his new role, Greg Alexander backed Mitchell to become one of the NRL’s best No.1s.
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A former halfback who made the switch to fullback, Alexander said Mitchell could become exception to the rule by being a 100kg-plus fullback.
Josh Dugan and Tom Trbojevic are the only two other fullbacks that weight more than a ton.
“He looks a little heavy now,” Alexander said.
“But have no doubt he will be able to handle playing fullback if he gets down to 103kg.
“That was his playing weight during the Origin series in 2018. I think that 102 or 103 is his best playing weight and I think would handle the role comfortably at that weight.’’
While his weight may not be an issue, Alexander said Mitchell will be racing the clock to prepare for the physical rigours of being a fullback.
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“He needs to get the kilometres into his legs,” Alexander said.
“And he needs to do it now because it is sometimes hard to do when the season gets underway. You just don’t have the time to run those miles then.
“But he has a bit of solid training time before he gets underway.’’
Alexander said Mitchell would follow in the footsteps of Greg Inglis and make a successful transition from a centre to a fullback.
“He will just need to get the k’s in his legs to be able to cover the extra distance in both attack and defence,” Alexander said.
“But I think he will get there and will very quickly establish himself as one of the top two or three fullbacks in the game.’’