Latrell Mitchell’s magic first half ‘killing them’ in Charity Shield madness

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have had the perfect first half in the Charity Shield massacre with some bold predictions already being made.

Is this the year of the Rabbitohs?

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker have produced enough magic that the fans and legends alike are ready to jump the gun with early season predictions after a stunning first half performance in the Charity Shield.

Mitchell set up three tries and scored one himself, while Walker had a hat-trick as the Rabbitohs put the St George Illawarra Dragons to the sword with a 32-4 lead at halftime.

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While he was subbed off at half-time, the Rabbitohs ran away with a record 48-16 victory in the clash.

The Rabbitohs were as close to perfect as you can get in the first half as the side continued its nine year dominance in the annual pre-season match.

Mitchell, who was criticised at times last year over questions about weight or commitment or the ability to play fullback, finished the season with a brutal hamstring injury cutting his year short.

Without him, his teammates made the preliminary final.

Before the match, rugby league great Greg Alexander said that Mitchell would be better at fullback in his second NRL season in the position and if early indications are anything to go by, it’s looking good for the Rabbitohs and their fans.

And now there are early predictions that the Rabbitohs can win the comp and Mitchell could take out the Dally M after running 107m with three tackle busts and three linebreak assists to go with his try and thethree try assists.

Latrell Mitchell was a first half monster.

Mitchell had a hand in the first two tries, throwing an effortless bullet pass for Jaxson Paulo to open the scoring.

After the first try, Alexander said: “That’s the sort of play that could make Latrell Mitchell the best fullback in the game, the ability to hold the pass up, plays like a five-eighth”.

Four minutes later, Mitchell ran the ball, keeping the ball-carrying arm free and throwing a low pass for Cody Walker to score his first.

WOW Latrell Mitchell what a game!! Can’t wait for the NRL to start up again

— Matt Reid (@MattReid12345) February 27, 2021

Latrell Mitchell is class! 👏🏻👏🏻

— Keal carlile (@Kealcarlile) February 27, 2021

Walker would end up with three for the half.

After his second try, Warren Smith on Fox League commentary said: “They’re killing them on both sides of the field”, before Walker followed up in support for Alex Johnston.

While the Dragons did score one try, the half finished 32-4 to Souths, although possibly more pleasing for Wayne Bennett and the coaching staff, the Rabbitohs were 20 from 20 in completions in a stat that left Alexander stunned.

“It’s as sharp as any side has looked at this stage of the season,” he said. “I can’t remember a team … A Charity Shield game where a side looks as good as South Sydney are. And they have owned this game for the last eight years. This is their best performance.

“They’re feeling confident, they’re looking like ‘we can win the comp’ it’s only early and it’s only trial form but boy they look sharp.”

The Rabbitohs spine is pretty good.

The club have been looking for a new level of excellence in pre-season training and appear primed for a strong season.

Attention bookies: this mob @SSFCRABBITOHS should be premiership favourites #CharityShield
...And what price Latrell for Dally M?

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) February 27, 2021

Based off that try, this time of the year and these fitness levels, Latrell to win Dally M and Rabbits win Comp I undefeated. Just trial tings. #NRLTrials#NRLCharityShield#NRLDragonsRabbitohs

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) February 27, 2021

At halftime, the Rabbitohs swapped out much of their team but were still able to score first as they looked to head towards a record Charity Shield win.

The Dragons did score two quick tries early in the second half but the Rabbitohs responded, falling just short of scoring a half century.