Matty Johns: NSW Origin coach Michael Maguire needs to Latrell Mitchell for game II

Latrell Mitchell is a superstar, a rock star, a once-in-a-generation talent. And it’s time the NSW Blues started treating him this way, MATTY JOHNS writes.

Latrell Mitchell and the Blues have had a problematic relationship in recent years.

I don’t blame Mitchell.

The NSW Origin set-up is one of uncertainty. Players picked, players dropped. Of course Queensland drop players as well, it’s just that they don’t do it nearly as much or as savagely.

It’s true that nobody owns a jersey. You rent it, it gets handed to the most deserving. But to put it in relationship terms, the Blue jersey always appears to fall in love with a new acquaintance, the Maroon one likes a long-term marriage.

The NSW team need Mitchell. Coach Michael Maguire should tell him that privately and announce it publicly.

Latrell Mitchell must be in the Blues’ team for Origin II. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In recent series, it appears most of the dialogue between Mitchell and the Blues has been through the media. If I was Madge, I’d be in a fast car, with my right hand on the steering wheel and my left hand clutching a Blues jersey, headed for Mitchell’s house.

I wouldn’t be waiting until Saturday afternoon when Madge and Mitchell will both be at Souths Juniors for the Rabbitohs’ 10-year reunion for the club’s 2014 premiership, just 24 hours before the coach is due to name his side for Origin II.

Why does Mitchell deserve special treatment? Because he’s a superstar, a rock star, a once-in-a-generation talent.

Legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson had no problems telling his players that they would be treated differently based on how much they contributed to the team winning. The superstars got superstar treatment, the others got treated … differently.

Great players elevate themselves for big occasions. Great players elevate themselves for key moments.

THE JOEY EFFECT

When Andrew Johns was selected for his famous comeback in 2005, he was second choice. Not until Trent Barrett tweaked his quad in training did Joey get the call up. There were concerns he’d played very, very little football in the previous 12 months, first due to a knee reconstruction and then a broken jaw.

Nothing suggested that he was going to go into the team late and dominate, yet he did. Physically and emotionally he elevated himself. Picking on form is smart to a certain extent.

Matty and Andrew Johns after his man-of-the-match performance for the Blues in 2005. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

However, when it comes to great players, average form shouldn’t discourage selection, because you know the bigger the occasion and the bigger the challenge, the better they’ll perform.

And of course, it’s what it does to the other players. If I’m sitting in the dressing room putting my boots on, nerves churning, I look over to Latrell Mitchell and I get a burst of confidence and belief.

CENTREPIECES FOR SUCCESS

Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton, give me a better centre combination.

In my time in rugby league, I haven’t seen a better defensive centre than Stephen Crichton. He runs the edge defensive system but instinctively breaks out of it when he recognises a ballplayer’s intentions, hence the amount of game-changing intercepts he’s pulled off in big matches.

As far as attack, I can see Latrell and Crichton linking together, which would cause Queensland enormous defensive problems, with their size, power and Latrell‘s beautiful subtle passing.

Latrell’s selection could trigger a Cody Walker recall. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

AND ANOTHER THING …

Don’t be surprised if Madge injects Cody Walker into the halves. The Blues coach has worked with Cody and both have a great understanding of each other, tactically.

Reports were that only a calf injury stopped Madge from selecting Walker for game one. A Cody/Latrell combination has plenty of appeal.