‘Not happy: Latrell Mitchell suffers ‘concerning’ injury in Souths’ win over Dragons

Latrell Mitchell went down with injury in South Sydney’s win over the Dragons on Saturday night but he wasn’t happy about it.

South Sydney’s scrappy 24-12 win over the St George Illawarra was soured by a hamstring injury to Latrell Mitchell, which could see him sidelined for several weeks.

The superstar fullback started the game superbly, crossing over for an early try in the corner after a long break from hooker Damien Cook.

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But Mitchell’s night didn’t last much longer after he was tackled by the Dragons’ Aaron Woods and Tariq Sims in the 14th minute and pulled up very gingerly.

The tackle wasn’t particularly bruising but Mitchell immediately came from the field and did not return for the rest of the game.

“Straight off, that is really concerning,” commentator Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“It seemed rather innocuous and out (of the game) he comes.”

Sideline reporter James Hooper confirmed Mitchell had suffered a hamstring injury and was unhappy with the state of the turf at Accor Stadium.

“The Bunnies are saying it’s his hamstring,” Hooper said.

Latrell Mitchell did his hammy against the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

“Just in the lead up to it there was quite a bit of commotion on the sideline.

“The physiotherapist seemed quite concerned prior to the tackle, so we don’t know when he sustained it but he’s done for the night.

“A little bit of an issue coming out of the Bunnies sheds at halftime is the state of this surface here at Accor Stadium.

“They had a concert out here last week and they’ve actually relaid essentially a quarter of the ground in terms of turf.

“Latrell is reportedly not happy and that has somehow added to his hamstring issue.”

It is the same hamstring that ended Mitchell 2020 season as the Bunnies fell one game short of the grand final.

Latrell Mitchell off with what appeared to be a left hamstring issue. Looked minor, but any hamstring issue a concern considering reinjury rate. His hamstring rupture + surgery in 2020 was also left hamstring which brings added concern. Usually a 2 week return to play best case

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 9, 2022

NRL great Greg Alexander added: “Gee it’s been a tough week for the groundskeepers if you’ve got a concert and you’ve got continual rain in Sydney.

The Bunnies could be in strife without Latrell. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“Difficult to get the surface exactly right and Latrell did have an issue coming into the game, that’s why Blake Taaffe is on the bench.”

AAP’s Scott Bailey tweeted: “Souths players not stoked about Accor Starium turf.

“Couldn’t believe how long it was when they looked at it before play and noticed its inconsistency under foot with parts of it being returfed during week after a festival. All this noted before Mitchell’s injury.”

The Rabbitohs didn’t miss a beat despite Mitchell’s injury as Blake Taaffe came off the bench to take his place at fullback, just like he did during last year’s final series when Mitchell was suspended.

Second rower Keaon Koloamatangi gave Souths a 10-0 halftime lead when he crashed over.

Campbell Graham and Taane Milne added two more tried for the Rabbitohs in the second half as they notched up their second win of the season.

Midway through Round 5, Souths are ninth on the ladder and a serious injury to Mitchell is far from ideal.