Latrell Mitchell compared to US sporting icons as punters flock to Blues star
Only once before has one player made such an impact on State of Origin betting. So much so that recalled Blues star Latrell Mitchell has been compared to LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
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Latrell Mitchell has become so dominant in State of Origin II betting markets that his influence is being compared to LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
Mitchell, recalled for the Blues after being overlooked in Sydney, has taken a betting stranglehold over the MCG game with punters now surging back to support desperate NSW.
Rarely before has one player made such a significant impact on a sports betting market other than American superstars James, Mahomes and Brady.
“It’s a trend we only really see in the big US sports when the biggest of superstars like LeBron James or key NFL quarterbacks like Brady and Mahomes cause major adjustments to a team’s odds,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“Someone like Brady had a mortgage on MVP betting in Super Bowls as soon as markets opened, while LeBron was so dominant across so many facets of the game for so long that markets could hang on his inclusion or withdrawal.
“The difference is that LeBron was often the key go-to-man on the court and Brady’s significance was undeniable as the chief shot-caller.
“Latrell isn’t the main playmaker in this team yet his performance next Wednesday is seen as make-or-break if the Blues are to save the series.
“TAB punters are backing him to be the difference at this stage.
“It’s rare to see one player’s selection have such a market influence of this size. Fans may be divided over Latrell, but punters clearly aren’t.
“There would only be a handful of players in the competition that could dominate the player-of-the-match and try scoring holds so much, and impact head-to-head at the same time.
“It’s only really Tom Trbojevic in his prime that comes to mind.
“It’s probably only the second time one player’s selection has impacted betting like this in State of Origin.
“The other was now Queensland coach Billy Slater’s recall to Game 2 in 2017. Queensland went on to win that series from a game down so maybe there’s something in that for punters.”
Mitchell’s inclusion has driven NSW into favouritism despite a thumping loss in Sydney.
The Blues have tightened from $2.40 into $1.85 with Queensland drifting from $1.62 to $1.95 outsiders. Punters have backed Mitchell:
– To be named man-of-the-match. He held around 85 per cent of the money before the team was named and his odds have now been slashed from $21 into $13.
– Is best backed to score a try at any time with 52 per cent of the money.
– Is best backed to score the first try with 40 per cent of the money.
– Is best backed to score a hat-trick with 88 per cent of the cash with 60 per cent of the pool backing him to score a try double.
– Is $34 to win the Wally Lewis Medal for player-of-the-series, but he will have only played two games, at best. That’s equal to Game I stars Liam Martin, Angus Crichton and Harry Grant.
Mitchell looked comfortable in camp, catching a bomb behind his back at training on Thursday before turning to ask television cameramen: “Did you get that?”
Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic is predicting a massive game from Mitchell.
“He brings belief. Latrell can do things that other people can’t. That’s undoubted, I’m not making things up there. It’s proven, he’s shown it,” Trbojevic said.
“In big moments, he gets it right. He has done it for the Blues many times.
“In his first series in 2018, some of the tries he scored... even in 2021, some of the big moments, he really went after the game.
“When he walks into a room, or goes out onto the field, people watch the game because of him, without a doubt. It’s great he is on our side and hopefully he can keep producing.”
NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been stunned at Mitchell’s raw ability at training.
“I can tell how dangerous he is already,” he said.
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