Souths players claimed Latrell Mitchell “scored 15 tries and made about ten linebreaks” when training at left centre instead of his usual fullback role on Tuesday.
One of the game’s biggest stars returns from a hamstring injury against bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters on Friday and will play in the outside backs, with Dally M leader Jye Gray retaining the prized No.1 jersey.
Wayne Bennett has insisted on several occasions that Mitchell is the club’s best fullback option, but the super coach has had to shuffle his backline due to an injury to winger Alex Johnston. Jack Wighton will shift from left to right centre.
A hamstring injury has kept Mitchell out for the first four rounds of the season, but the superstar looked lean and ready to play on a cool Tuesday morning at Heffron Park. Some of his most memorable displays have come when playing at left centre for NSW.
Back-rower Jai Arrow said he was delighted to see Mitchell return, and was happy Gray had been rewarded for his blazing start to the opening month of the season.
“He’s pretty scary when he gets the ball in his hand out there – he brings so much confidence to our side,” Arrow told this masthead.
Look who is back: Latrell Mitchell at Souths training on TuesdayCredit: Steve Siewert/SMH
“If I’m the Roosters, I’m probably looking at that left edge and thinking, ‘Well, Cody Walker, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell and Isaiah Tass – that’s a pretty lethal edge’.
“We won’t be getting the ball on the right edge. There will be plenty of traffic down the left for sure.
“We’ve already spoken about how we’ll be doing all the tough stuff and all the tackling and yardage carries, and the left side will be attacking all day.
“Latrell has an aura about him, he’s such a good person to have in your footy side. I’m so excited to see the big fella back.
The Souths star will play his first game since injuring his hamstring on the eve of the NRL season.Credit: Steve Siewert/SMH
“I know ‘Tassy’ [Tass] will be licking his lips playing outside Latrell. I also know Euan Aitken will be having nightmares tonight after training against him out there.”
Had Johnston not suffered a rib injury in the act of scoring a try during his comeback game last Thursday, Gray risked being dropped to the bench as a utility to accommodate Mitchell.
Gray, 21, has been a revelation at fullback, and what he lacks in size, and the ability to blow a game open like Mitchell, he has made up for with effort and reliability in defence.
What makes his rise at the back more remarkable is that Gray grew up playing as a five-eighth, only turning to fullback when thrown into the position during a scrimmage at training at the start of last year.
“Jye has been our best player this year, and continued to turn up with a lot of energy and enjoyment around the place – we’re lucky we have such a young kid who does such an unreal job,” Arrow said.
Wighton has spent time at right centre on the Origin arena, and playing for Australia, and said the immediate hurdle was getting his footwork right switching from the left.
As for the return of good mate Mitchell, and the fullback reward for Gray, Wighton said: “We just want to see Latrell get in the game, do his job and have fun. We’re not asking for anything special.
“And Jye is a little champion, he’s someone we love playing with, he’s inspirational and does all the hard stuff. That’s all we can ask of him.”
Souths are chasing a fourth win in five matches while the Roosters try to avoid a fourth defeat in as many games.
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