Monday Buzz: Where NRL keyboard warriors got it wrong on Latrell Mitchell

Superstar Latrell Mitchell had a shocker in Souths’ preliminary final loss. But even so, Latrell should be celebrated, not vilified, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Latrell Mitchell had a bad game but should still be celebrated. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell rated just a 4.5 in News Corp’s player ratings on Saturday night. It was a fair assessment of his performance against the Panthers.

Souths needed a Latrell blinder if they were to be any hope of upsetting Penrith – and he couldn’t deliver.

A mate of mine texted: “He looks more like a Ford Laser than a Ferrari.”

At the other end of the football field Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards rated a nine.

That’s twice as good as Latrell – and fair enough too.

Latrell Mitchell had a bad game but should still be celebrated. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

It would be very easy to sit down to join the keyboard warriors and smash Latrell.

He made only 55 run metres compared to Edwards’ 248 metres.

He had only seven runs compared to Edwards’ 25.

What the stats didn’t show were a couple of his wayward passes which put unnecessary pressure on teammates. And that on occasions he was caught out of position in defence.

His fitness could probably be questioned too.

But hold the phone. This is the guy who has carried the team since his return from the United States.

Everything rides on him and it’s fair to say Souths wouldn’t have made the top eight without him.

Latrell is under the spotlight more than any other player in the competition.

It’s because he talks himself up and his press appearances are way more colourful than others.

We shouldn’t be bagging him for that.

Latrell Mitchell should be encouraged for being himself. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

If anything we should be encouraging others to be themselves too. To show some character.

To cut the cliches and have a bit of fun.

Overall the South Sydney Rabbitohs should be proud of their season.

Especially when you consider Tom Burgess, Alex Johnston, Dane Gagai, Jaydn Su’A and a bloke called Wayne Bennett were missing from last year’s grand-final team.

On Saturday night they met a fitter, stronger and classier Penrith outfit.

HIGHLIGHT

The classy manner in which Cowboys coach Todd Payten accepted defeat despite the shocking forward pass that led to Parramatta’s first try.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten accepted defeat with class. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

The AFL grand final blowout/bloodbath. What was supposed to be the biggest and most exciting game of the season was the worst contest you’ll ever see from the opening bounce to the final siren.

SHOOSH

The most predictable part of grand final week will be the announcement of the NRL’s golden boy Ashley Klein as the referee for Sunday night. Was this ever in doubt?

And just for the record, Penrith has an 85.7 percent win record under Klein in the last three seasons. Over the same period the Eels have a 62.5 percent win record.

Ashley Klein is set to referee the grand final. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

SHOOSH

Bad news for the Manly Sea Eagles in regards to ground improvements at Brookvale Oval. We’ve been leaked a government Business Cost Ratio document that shows the return for taxpayers does not justify a $150 million spend. A BCR of 1.0 is required for most NSW infrastructure projects. Brookvale came in at just 0.24.

SHOOSH

Record-breaking winger Alex Johnston is set to be snubbed from Australia’s World Cup team. It didn’t help that he missed the game against Penrith on Saturday night with a hip flexor injury. Still this season he became the first player in history to score 30 tries in consecutive seasons.

SPOTTED

Old player agent Wayne Beavis, 2GB’s Ray Hadley, former coach Paul Broughton and legendary NRL boss Ken Arthurson catching up for a coffee at Main Beach on the Gold Coast.

SPOTTED

A Carnival cruise ship enroute from Seattle to Australia forked out US$30,000 for a satellite feed of the AFL grand final between the Sydney Swans and Geelong.

SPOTTED

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary at CommBank Stadium on Sunday to support the Panthers in the NSW Cup against Canterbury.

It took Cleary a while to make his way to his seat as he stopped and signed autographs for everyone who asked.

Penrith star Nathan Cleary and fans at CommBank Stadium.

SPOTTED

It’s been a huge weekend for frequent flyer points for the NRL’s Andrew Abdo and Graham Annesley who flew to Townsville and back for the Eels v Cowboys, went to the Panthers v Souths, then jumped back on a plane to Brisbane for the NRLW qualifying finals and the Prime Ministers v PNG game.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent, James Hooper and Cooper Cronk to discuss all the biggest footy issues and the countdown to the grand final.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Where NRL keyboard warriors got it wrong on Latrell Mitchell