Latrell loses it but Rabbitohs hold on

One swinging arm is bad enough, two swinging arms could spell a stint on the sideline for South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Souths winger Dane Gagai scores one of his three tries against Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello

One swinging arm is bad enough, two swinging arms could spell a stint on the sideline for South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell.

But he isn’t the only one facing some time on the pine.

Wests Tigers five-eighth Josh Reynolds is also in hot water following a fiery incident involving Mitchell in the Rabbitohs’ 18-10 victory over the Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.

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Tigers five-eighth Reynolds was placed on report for an “indiscriminate kick” to the head of South Sydney’s Campbell Graham after a scrappy passage of play early in the game.

Both players were scrambling for a loose ball with Reynolds finding Campbell’s head instead of the ball as he attempted a kick.

Fox League commentator Braith Anasta said Mitchell was fortunate to have not copped any on-field punishment for the incidents.

“He can’t react like that. He’s probably lucky to stay on the field and might find himself in some trouble,” Anasta said.

“I reckon the judiciary will look at both incidents because you can’t kick even if it’s an accident and you can’t retaliate like Latrell did,” Cooper Cronk added.

Wests Tigers playmaker Josh Reynolds and Souths’ Latrell Mitchell, No 1 exchange words at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello

Mitchell took great offence to the incident and came in to defend his teammate with a swinging arm, which collected Reynolds across the jaw.

Mitchell wasn’t placed on report but might also be in trouble with the Match Review Committee with replays showing the Rabbitohs fullback making a connection.

A heated verbal exchange between the two players followed the incident with Reynolds reacting to an allegation from Mitchell that the kick was deliberate.

“You think I meant it, d...head? Wake up to yourself, f...wit,” Reynolds was heard yelling at Mitchell over the referee’s mic.

Graham was forced from the field for a head injury assessment following the incident but was cleared of a concussion and returned in the 20th minute.

Reynolds was put on report with Fox Sports analyst Mick Ennis agreeing he had to be cited despite it being an unfortunate accident.

“Reynolds trying to kick the footy along the ground has an air swing and his shin collects Campbell Graham,” Ennis said.

“A clear accident. I think it’s the right call. There wasn’t any malice in it.”

Souths Dane Gagai celebrates after scoring his second try. Picture: Brett Costello

The Tigers lost centre Joey Leilua for four weeks after he was charged for an off-the-ball incident involving a swinging arm on Penrith’s Dylan Edwards in round eight.

Mitchell was then placed on report for another swinging arm, this time on Tigers forward Luke Garner in the 62nd minute.

Mitchell got the ultimate square-up, hitting the Tigers where it hurt most — on the scoreboard. The fullback threw a brilliant harbour bridge pass to Dane Gagai, who scored in the right corner taking the Rabbitohs’ lead to 10-nil at halftime.

“That was a cracking ball from Latrell, a lot of those long passes you generate power from footwork and hips, his feet were together,” Johns said.

Gagai went on to score a hat-trick, his first at NRL level since making his debut in 2011.

“He has to bring Benji on now,” Johns said as Marshall sat on the sideline in the second half with the Tigers trailing 14-nil on the scoreboard.

South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell is caught up in the Wests Tigers’ defence at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Maguire finally relented and injected Marshall into the game with 30 minutes left on the clock.

Marshall’s inclusion helped to spark the Tigers attack but it still wasn’t enough.

It was Marshall’s first game for the Tigers since Maguire dropped the club legend after the Tigers’ loss to the Gold Coast in round four.

It’s taken over 18 months but the Tigers appear to be finally showing the grittiness and hard edge their premiership-winning coach is famous for instilling into his sides.

Queensland Maroons under-18s star Reece Hoffman made his NRL debut, coming into the Tigers starting outfit to replace an injured Tommy Talau.

After a wobbly start, where he fumbled his first test under a high ball, Hoffman had some nice touches in attack which culminated in a try in his first ever NRL outing.