State of Origin Game 3 2024: Latrell Mitchell injury leaves NSW Blues with selection headache

Tom Trbojevic put his hand up to fill the vacant NSW centre spot after Latrell Mitchell was ruled out of the Origin III decider with a foot injury.

Tom Trbojevic has put his hand up to fill the vacant NSW centre spot after Latrell Mitchell was forced to withdraw from Origin III because of a serious foot injury.

The attention will now shift to Bradman Best who has a final chance to stake his claim to fill Mitchell’s spot when he takes to the field for Newcastle against Canberra on Sunday afternoon just hours before Maguire announces his team.

Trbojevic, Best or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start at centre on Wednesday week after the Blues’ plans to announce an unchanged line-up following their game two demolition was thrown into disarray with revelations that Mitchell is facing an extended stint on the sidelines.

Latrell Mitchell was one of NSW’s best in Origin II but has been ruled out of game three. Picture: Getty Images

Trbojevic made a timely return for the Blues despite an understated comeback for Manly at centre during their golden point win against the North Queensland on Saturday night.

He finished the game with 73 metres from 13 runs and 26 tackles. Trbojevic said he was ready to play if Maguire called him.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Trbojevic said on Fox League. “It is awesome to be back playing footy. If he does call me I’ll put my hand up.

“It was nice to get back out there. It was a bit different (playing centre). It’s good to have a different challenge. I’m excited by the new challenge. I will only get better from here.”

Seven of Trbojevic’s 10 Origin appearances for NSW have been at centre, where he has scored seven tries for the Blues.

It’s why Maguire was so eager to watch the Manly star’s first game since round 10. The Blues coach wanted to make sure Trbojevic wasn’t tentative and showed no sign of limitations following his hamstring injury.

Tom Trbojevic put his hand up to replace Latrell Mitchell with a solid performance at centre i nhis return from injury. Picture: Getty Images

It was a game that never really found Trbojevic in open space, with the Dally M medal winner forced to do plenty of grunt work, rather than any brilliant play.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold said he would not stand in Trbojevic’s way if he is picked.

“You always love to see your players playing Origin,” Seibold said. “He is back and was solid. If he got an opportunity to play it would be a great achievement for him.”

Trbojevic’s older brother Jake spoke with emotion about witnessing the comeback of someone so close to him.

“No one sees how hard he works. He’s the most professional person at our club,’’ Jake Trbojevic told Fox League.

“It’s tough being his older brother and just seeing him go through everything.

Bradman Best could do enough to claim the vacant centre role with a big performance against the Raiders on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

“But I’m really proud, he put his hand up to come back in a different position, he recognised that’s probably best for him moving forward.

“He’s just worked really hard. He’s a great clubman and I’m really proud of him.’’

Best starred for NSW in Origin III last year and only injury robbed him of playing in the first game of this series and has another chance to impress while Suaalii has not played since being sent off just minutes into his Origin debut to start the series.

A poll of almost 1500 readers on this masthead had Best well ahead as the fans’ choice to be Mitchell’s replacement.

It can be revealed that Mitchell played out 60 minutes of Thursday’s game with the foot injury before scans shattered his Origin dream.

Mitchell was caught awkwardly in a tackle by Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown as he drifted across the field in the same set which Cody Walker dropped the ball over the try-line.

Despite serious pain, Mitchell played out the match and starred for the Rabbitohs.

The Blues will also be sweating on Sydney Roosters duo Angus Crichton and Connor Watson coming through unscathed on Sunday afternoon ahead of their match against St George Illawarra Dragons.