NRL 2024: Horror match caps off week from hell for Latrell Mitchell

The only four-letter words coming out of Latrell Mitchell’s mouth on Friday night were said in frustration as Souths dramatically unravelled on one of rugby league’s biggest stages.

The only four-letter words coming out of Latrell Mitchell’s mouth on Friday night were said in frustration.

Not just with himself, but no doubt with his teammates, as they bumbled their way to a third consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters.

Souths are in crisis.

They finished Friday night in last spot as they dramatically unravelled on one of rugby league’s biggest stages.

Mitchell didn’t have his best night but he wasn’t alone.

Latrell Mitchell had a tough night against the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

He came into the game after a tumultuous week, including a fireside chat with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo over his R-rated radio interview a week ago, and it ended with incessant booing, and a controversial stint in the sin bin.

The Rabbitohs are down on confidence and even their biggest name can’t save them judging by this, as the week looked to have taken its toll not just on Mitchell, but the Rabbitohs as a whole.

Mitchell threatened to unleash in the second half, but just when Souths were working their way back into the game, the Roosters struck through Connor Watson and it was game over.

Mitchell was targeted by Roosters fans throughout the match as he was jeered every time he touched the ball.

It reached fever pitch midway through the second half when Mitchell attempted to shepherd a kick over the dead ball line with Roosters skipper James Tedesco looming.

The ball went dead but referee Ashley Klein sent the decision to the bunker for a verdict and the Rabbitohs star was ruled to have unfairly impeded Tedesco, leaving Klein to give Mitchell a spell as more boos rang out around Allianz Stadium.

In Mitchell’s absence, the Roosters ran riot and Souths face another week of soul searching.

The season is only three weeks old but the blowtorch is intensifying on coach Jason Demetriou.

Demetriou rolled the dice by axing halfback Lachlan Ilias and starting Damien Cook on the bench.

Neither ploy worked and another week of soul-searching lies ahead.

DEMETRIOU: ‘WE CAN TURN IT AROUND’

Jason Demetriou is adamant he remains the right man to take the Rabbitohs forward after his side slumped to a humiliating 48-6 loss to the Roosters on Friday night to extend their winless start to the season.

The critics have had Demetriou in their crosshairs for months now, and they’ll spend the next few days sharpening the knives with calls set to grow louder for him to be sacked despite signing an extension last year through to the end of 2026.

It’s been an unprecedented fall from grace for the Bunnies who led the league after 11 rounds last year but have won just four of their past 16 matches, with the grand old club set to finish at the bottom of the ladder for the first time since 2010 if results don’t go their way.

“I’ve been with this group a long time and I understand this group. I’m confident we’re on the same page and we’re working together,” Demetriou replied when asked if he’s the right man to coach them.

“We’ve just got to turn it around. I have no doubt that I’m the man who can do that, but ultimately what I sit here and say makes no difference to what people are going to say.

“The only thing that’s going to make a difference is getting our training right and getting our performance right next week and get some results on the board.”

Demetriou bristled at questions leading into Friday’s catastrophic defeat and he understands the heat will only intensify in the coming days.

“That’s the privilege of being at this footy club. It’s a big club and that’s my job, I’m the head coach. I’ll wear that so it’s no problem,” he said.

“It won’t control the decisions or how we prep and train. That’s the biggest thing we’ve got to do – we’ve got to focus on a game of footy.

“The noise is there because we’re not winning and we’re not playing well. The only way to quieten that down is to get laser focused, ruthless with our preparation and go after the performance next week.”

The Rabbitohs face the Bulldogs on Good Friday and must win to ease some pressure as they look to avoid another season outside the top eight, with Lachlan Ilias a chance of returning after an “outstanding” performance in NSW Cup.

“The monkey’s on our back, and you can see that in our resolve at times,” he said after they made 16 errors and missed 35 tackles against the Roosters.

“There’s some effort there, but it’s put into the wrong places. I said to the players that there’s only one way out and that’s staying together, fighting, training together next week and getting back on the horse.

“It’s a matter of getting that first win. Individually there are some signs out there that we’re starting to find some rhythm, but we’ve got to fight harder.

“I’m extremely confident (we can turn it around). That’s my job. It’s on me to guide the boys and make sure we’re fighting hard and getting ready to play Good Friday.

“It’s disappointing, it hurts. It’s probably the lowest point in my career right now, but I know how we’ll get out of it. We’ll fight and we’ll fight together.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Horror match caps off week from hell for Latrell Mitchell