Latrell Mitchell on why he wants to be better than Greg Inglis

Given Latrell Mitchell’s hero worship of Greg Inglis, it is no surprise the NSW star was linked to a South Sydney move. But the Roosters centre has outlined the one reason he’ll never join Redfern.

• New doco goes inside rookie Blues’ Origin triumph
• Hodges on GI: ‘I could see the hurt in his eyes’

It’s a measure of both Latrell Mitchell’s self-belief and respect for his idol.

The NSW Origin star has crushed even the faintest hope of him leaving the Sydney Roosters to replace Greg Inglis at South Sydney.

In a candid interview inside Blues camp, a relaxed Mitchell declared the reason he couldn’t join the Rabbitohs was because he refused to live in Inglis’s shadow.

Off-contract at the end of 2020, but eligible to negotiate with rival clubs from November, Mitchell has in recent weeks been linked to a move to the Rabbitohs.

Mitchell admits a Souths move did cross his mind. Image: Brett Costello

“I have always thought about it, with GI (Inglis) moving out,’’ Mitchell said of a possible move to Redfern.

“But then again, I have been hyped up after GI for most of my career now and I think if I move there I am going to be more of a shadow.

“I am a person that wants to make my own name. I know me and GI have the same attributes on the field.

“Then again, I want to try to be better than Greg. I know he is trying to be better than his idol. I know for a fact that he would want me to be better than him.

“That is the way it goes. I want to be myself, be my own man and play my own game.’’

Inglis has left a hole at South Sydney and in the game. Image: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Mitchell smiled when he said his father Matt, a Souths fan, made a point of poking fun of him playing for archrivals the Roosters.

“They have a big (indigenous) fan base (Souths),’’ Mitchell said.

“My old boy (Matt) came down to Souths to have a crack, he got homesick and went home.

“He has always been a Souths supporter and has always rubbed it in.

“But I don’t know how to explain it. I have never even thought about going over (to Souths).’’

Mitchell wants to carve out his own legend at the Roosters. Image: Brett Costello

The 21-year-old added that he was initially disappointed that Inglis had made the shock decision to retire earlier this year — robbing Mitchell of one last chance to tackle his hero on the Origin stage.

“Everyone would have wanted him to go round one more year and finish off on a high,’’ Mitchell said.

“I was a bit disappointed seeing him retire so early.

“I am happy for him to go out the way he is. I just hope he is doing well off the field, that’s all I am worried about.’’

After a season of extreme hype, Mitchell has been noticeably relaxed inside Blues camp under the guidance of NSW coach Brad Fittler.

And despite his blistering 2019 form, his response to the question of what it means to be back inside the NSW-fold, should leave every Blues fan excited for what he could bring next Wednesday night.

“To come back in and get the phone call from Freddie, I was pretty keen to get back in and create some more special moments with the boys,’’ Mitchell said.

“I was pinching myself last year and now I get to do it again.

“Just to represent my state, I have always wanted to do it. To do it again is a massive thing.’’