Locker Room: Latrell Mitchell must move to five-eighth to save South Sydney’s season

The Rabbitohs must get more out of their star Latrell Mitchell and need to change his position in order to salvage their season, but it’s not to the centres, writes David Riccio.

NRL 2024 RD04 South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Latrell Mitchell NRL PHOTOS

South Sydney are headed for their longest winter in 18-years unless they make the same call Trent Robinson made back in 2019 by playing Latrell Mitchell at five-eighth.

Second-favourites – only narrowly behind the lowly Titans – to collect their first wooden spoon since 2006, Souths are in need of a dramatic spark with Mitchell’s return from suspension never more timely.

The poorly managed and prolonged persecution of coach Jason Demetriou has simultaneously ruled a line through their season.

So what is to lose?

Sure, Souths can stick with Mitchell at fullback and hope their way through the remainder of the year.

Or they can shake things up to try and breathe some type of life back into a season that to everyone else, is practically over in May.

Souths need to move Latrell Mitchell into the halves. Picture: NRL Photos

Interim Souths coach Ben Hornby can utilise one of the best right to left passes in the game, as well as Mitchell’s big body in defence and promote his booming kicking game at five-eighth with Cody Walker at halfback, while shifting Jack Wighton to fullback.

Waiting for Mitchell to inject himself into the game from his preferred fullback position is in many ways part of the reason why the Rabbitohs are in this hole.

Their salary cap is already bent out of shape with overpaid players and that is made even more crooked when you’re waiting for your superstar to either crash the ball back into the defensive line or bob-up out the back in attack, when he so desires.

In his five games so far this season at fullback, there have been moments of brilliance. Out of the blocks in Las Vegas, Mitchell did his best to inspire the side.

And there have been other moments where he’s played like he’s waiting for a bus.

The Rabbitohs are at a point where they need to find a way to get more out of their star, particularly after a three-week suspension that even his closest allies have viewed as career-defining, in regards to determining just how much he wants to be a professional rugby league player.

Latrell Mitchell would become a lot more involved alongside Cody Walker in the halves.

Robinson was the first to spot Mitchell’s potential at five-eighth. The Roosters coach moved him out of centre and into the halves on four occasions in 2019.

His record at five-eighth stands at two wins and two losses.

Keep in mind, Mitchell was a far less experienced player at the time, then 21-years-old and with only two games each for his state and country under his belt.

He’s since played a combined 11 further games for NSW and Australia.

Playing alongside Luke Keary, Mitchell played as the Roosters five-eighth in wins over the Sea Eagles and the Eels in rounds two and three of 2019.

Against Manly, he slotted a superb 40/20 kick and together, Keary and Mitchell, helped rack up a combined 58-points in the two wins.

They were then rolled in round 11, 38-12 by the Knights before being pipped by the Storm and a Cameron penalty goal 14-12.

Robinson isn’t the only expert who has called for Mitchell to move to five-eighth.

Ironically, Rabbitohs coach in-waiting Wayne Bennett forecast last year that Mitchell had potential as a future pivot.

Wayne Bennett has backed Mitchell for the positional shift in the past. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

“He can play fullback. He can play in the centres. And I think when push comes to shove a bit later in his life he might be able to play five-eighth,” Bennett said just over 12-months ago.

“He makes the job easy because he has got so much going for him.”

Another believer is one of Bennett’s greatest allies, Alex McKinnon, who as a former recruitment and talent scout, has an outstanding eye for the game.

This is what McKinnon wrote in his Fox League column, long before the Bunnies season from hell began.

“If the Rabbitohs want to become title contenders again, Latrell Mitchell should follow in the footsteps of Cameron Munster and move to five-eighth next year,‘’ McKinnon said.

“Veteran Cody Walker then goes to halfback and star recruit Jack Wighton can play fullback, where he starred earlier in his career.

“It’s as simple as this – to win games you need your best players touching the ball as often as possible.

“Latrell isn’t a small fullback and the older he gets the tougher the kilometres are going to be on his body. Playing in the halves gets him into the game and provides greater opportunities to show his talents.

“It will also reduce his running requirements and Walker will get more touches at No. 7, which is only a good thing.

“People love to knock Latrell but he’s got an incredible footy IQ and I believe he can emulate Munster’s move to No. 6.

“It’s different from Kalyn Ponga moving into the halves because Latrell has played in the centres for Australia and NSW, so defensively there won’t be any issues.”

The return of Mitchell from a three-week suspension next Saturday night against St George-Illawarra is layered with intrigue, uncertainty and hope.

Injuries and suspension will impact Hornby’s team selections.

Cooper Cronk said on Fox League on Thursday night that Mitchell must return at fullback and be made to fight for the jumper.

That’s the easy option.

Offer Mitchell the challenge to be part of igniting the club and a chance to rekindle his love for the game again by getting his hands on the footy at five-eighth and taking ownership of the Rabbitohs dismal attack.

Originally published as Locker Room: Latrell Mitchell must move to five-eighth to save South Sydney’s season