‘He’s a big chance of playing next week’: Latrell tipped to return in big boost for Blues

The Blues are set to welcome back one of the game’s biggest stars in a huge boost to their chances of forcing an Origin decider in Sydney.

Latrell Mitchell is expected to be available for the Blues after missing the Origin opener with a calf injury. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

The Blues have received some much needed good news with Latrell Mitchell set to be fit for game two in Brisbane after his South Sydney coach revealed he “probably would have played” if the State of Origin opener was this weekend.

Mitchell was ruled out just two days before the Origin opener in Adelaide after injuring his calf at a training session on Sunday evening.

Latrell Mitchell won’t play for the Rabbitohs this weekend but is expected to return in Round 15 after a calf injury ruled him out of the Origin opener. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

The veteran ruled himself out of the game and the Blues missed his presence on the field, with Queensland mounting a late comeback to win 26-18.

But South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has provided a positive update, declaring Mitchell should be available for the Round 15 game against the Dragons, with the squads for game two to be announced after that.

“Latrell is a big chance of playing next week,” he said.

“He’ll come in; he’s in pretty good shape already, and like I said, if it was a weekend Origin game, then he probably would have played. But it wasn’t. It was two days after he’d done his injury, so it was probably high risk.

“We’ll assess him early next week, but he’s a big chance of playing next week.”

Campbell Graham was 18th man for the Blues but withdrew from camp with a sternum injury. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

Demetriou also confirmed Origin duo Jai Arrow and Cam Murray would back up for Saturday’s trip to the Gold Coast, while Campbell Graham will also return after missing their most recent loss to Canberra.

Graham missed that game with a sternum injury after he was originally withdrawn from the NSW squad earlier in the week because he couldn’t train.

It was a cruel twist of fate for Graham, who would have replaced his South Sydney teammate in the centres for what would have been a deserved debut for the Blues.

“There’s no point looking back,” Demetriou said, hopeful selectors will keep Graham in mind for the next game after Stephen Crichton came in and did a good job on the left edge.

“The decision was made based on how he presented when he went into camp, and what happened after that was out of his control.

“What he can control is the 80 minutes this weekend. He’s been outstanding. He’s put himself in the frame and he’s just got to keep doing that. I’ll leave it up to the selectors.”

Ben Hornby has been linked to the vacant Dragons coaching job after Jason Ryles turned down an offer to join the club. Picture: NRL Images

It’s been a pretty chilled week for Souths, although that could change, with assistant coach Ben Hornby now one of the favourites to take over as head coach at the Dragons after Jason Ryles turned down a four-year deal.

Demetriou said he wouldn’t stand in Hornby’s way if he ever wanted to become a head coach, declaring he and fellow assistant John Morris are “ready to have a crack” if another club offered them the top job.

“That’s probably something, once he gets a job, that we’d have discussions in and around,” he replied when asked if he’d spoken to Hornby about what to expect.

“I’m pretty open with the boys and we talk quite often about the difference between assistant coaching and head coaching. It’s just prepping yourself for the loneliness; it’s a lot lonelier in the office.”