Latrell Mitchell avoids NRL lockdown by heading home to Taree

Faced with the choice of being stuck indoors in virus-hit Sydney or heading home to go fishing and to hand out footies, Latrell Mitchell took the obvious choice.

NRL player Latrell Mitchell arrives back from fishing from his jet ski on the Manning River at Taree. Pic Peter Lorimer

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While the rest of the NRL has basically gone into lockdown, free-spirited South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell returned to his north coast home town of Taree on Wednesday with the blessing of his coach Wayne Bennett.

And instead of hiding indoors, Latrell got back to doing what he loves best: Fishing, jetskiing and handing out free footies to young locals.

Two days out from Friday night’s huge clash against Bennett’s old club in Brisbane, Bennett conceded that he wasn’t aware that Latrell had returned home.

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Latrell Mitchell arrives back from fishing from his jet ski on the Manning River at Taree. Photo: Peter Lorimer

But asked if Latrell had sought his permission before leaving Sydney, Bennett said: “I didn’t let him go. Nor should he (have asked). It is his day off.

“He’s not going to catch coronavirus off the fish, is he? He loves the bush. He’s happy up there. He goes up all the time. I’m pleased.”

Reading the mood of his players has always been one of Bennett’s greatest assets as a coach.

And it is certainly going to be a bonus coaching Latrell.

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While his opening performance against Cronulla received mixed reviews, Bennett said after the game that he was content despite replacing him midway through the second half.

The Rabbitohs go into Friday night’s game as outsiders and they are going to need a more involved effort from Latrell if they are going to beat the Broncos who were super impressive in their opening win over North Queensland.

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The Souths star had a bag of signed footys to give away. Photo: Instagram

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While there is going to be huge pressure on the Rabbitohs’ pack given the strength of Brisbane’s forwards, Latrell will also need to up his work rate after only having four runs for 48m against the Sharks.

There is no doubt when he injects himself in the game he looks dangerous, he just needs to do it more often.

But Bennett has vowed he won’t be pressured into making Latrell aim up to the critics’ expectations, adamant it is going to take some weeks before we see what Latrell is capable of in his new role at fullback.