Roosters v Storm: Latrell Mitchell feels team will go back-to-back if they beat Melbourne
Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell has an impressive record at the Sydney Cricket Ground. And he says it reminds him of a ground much closer to home.
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Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell loves playing on the SCG because it reminds him of the Taree Recreation Ground where he enjoyed many great moments as a kid.
And he is supremely confident the Roosters can knock of Melbourne in Saturday night’s grand final qualifier at the famous old ground and go on to win back-to-back titles.
“I don’t see how we can get beat,” Mitchell said. “I just know if we go into this week and win it, no one can stop us.
“I am pretty proud of this team, being part of this family. They have given me a life.”
As revealed in yesterday’s The Daily Telegraph, Taree-born Mitchell has scored a staggering 152 points in 10 games at the SCG this year.
“There’s a lot of history that goes with that ground,” Mitchell said. “The cricket, AFL and the NRL started on it.
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“I don’t know what it is, I just enjoy playing on it.
“It has a park and recreation ground sort of feel about it, where there’s no stadium. Obviously there is a stadium there but you feel so far away from them (crowd), out in the open.
“It’s like the Taree Rec Ground. I’ve played on that, skinned knees and everything.
“Then you get to play on the SCG and ANZ (Stadium) and wherever and it’s even better. It’s awesome. I love it, eh.”
Reminded of his scoring feats at the SCG this season, Mitchell said: “There you go … let’s see how we go this week.”
For all his optimism about the Roosters’ title chances, the disappointment of being dumped from the NSW squad after Origin I still hangs over him.
Mitchell wouldn’t be drawn into whether he would be available for NSW again next season but he refused to commit himself.
“Look, we’ll talk about that next year when it comes,” he said. “Everyone is going to hurt when you’re dropped from the team. You always want to get picked.
“(It was) probably the lowest (point) in my career. But I don’t want to kick stones and blame people. I just want to move on and play footy and I’ve done that, I think.
“I don’t want to bring up the Origin period. I learned from that. I have worked really hard on myself and come back a better person and better player.
“A lot of controversial stuff came out of that. I just look back on it and think ‘I am stronger than I thought’, just to prove people wrong, I guess.
“But it doesn’t bother me. I went through where I thought I was going wrong and worked on that.”
He may be unwanted by NSW but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has expressed a strong desire for Mitchell to again represent Australia.
“I love representing Australia,’’ Mitchell said. “It is up to Mal. I am doing my part and playing good footy, and do my best for this team here.
“If Mal wants to pick me, I will be there and play with passion and pride like I always do. I will go out and play my best.”
Mitchell is off contract at Bondi after next season, making him a free agent from November 1.
While most expect him to re-sign with the Roosters, Mitchell wouldn’t comment yesterday on any new deal.
“I am not focused on contracts,’’ he said. “Don’t need to worry about that.”