NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell vs Kalyn Ponga a season defining showdown
Latrell Mitchell has won premierships, but never with South Sydney. If he wants to be Mr September for the Rabbitohs, it’s time to knuckle down, writes Brent Read.
On Wednesday night, as the Matildas’ dream of World Cup glory was coming to an emotional end against the old enemy at Accor Stadium, Latrell Mitchell was living his best life.
Mitchell had managed to get his hands on some of the hottest tickets in town. At some point, he found his way onto stage with Luke Combs and shotgunned what looked suspiciously like a beer with the country singer and UFC star Bam Bam Tuivasa.
The sold-out crowd at Qudos Bank Arena was loving it. So was Mitchell. This is what he lives for. The big stage. The roar of the crowd. The chance to bring the fans to their feet.
On Sunday afternoon, the big moment will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium as Mitchell shares centre stage with another of the game’s superstars, Kalyn Ponga.
Things are getting serious and the Rabbitohs desperately need a win. It feels like one of those days that could bring out the best in Mitchell.
Another sold out crowd. Another moment to savour. Another chance to entertain legions of fans, only this time he will be trying to silence the roar given the stadium will be largely packed with Knights supporters.
There is plenty at stake for both sides. Newcastle are in the thick of the top eight race as well, having strung together a series of wins over the past two months that have put them in finals contention.
Sough Sydney still harbour hopes of a top four finish, although on current form it may be a bridge too far. They are capable of stringing together wins but not the way they are playing at the moment. The Rabbitohs are battling.
They were my pre-season pick to win the grand final and I am pretty sure I wasn’t the only one given the hype that surrounded them heading into round one. The rationale was seemingly straightforward.
In Mitchell, they had a player who seemed to save his best for the big occasion. The sort of player who can single-handedly inspire his club to glory. Canterbury boss and Nine commentator Phil Gould may have questioned Mitchell’s credentials but this columnist harboured no doubts.
That said, the time is now for Mitchell and Souths. The noises haven’t been great out of Heffron Park of late – their coaching staff is under siege as Sam Burgess prepares to head to Warrington and John Morris weighs up whether to join Benji Marshall at the Wests Tigers. And there have been suggestions of an unsettled playing group.
But they need to start picking up some momentum heading into September if they are to have any hope of challenging for the title.
Winning is the panacea to all ills. You only have to look at Newcastle to realise that. The Knights were paddling water a few months ago. Coach Adam O’Brien was under siege. Ponga had his critics.
Now they have won six straight, O’Brien is on track for an extension and Ponga is worth every cent that the Knights have sent his way. Two months ago, this game was a formality. Now it’s an even-money bet and the result may lie in the hands of two of the game’s superstars.
Ponga will no doubt take it personally on Sunday. The great ones always do. Which brings us back to Mitchell. He has won premierships before but not with South Sydney. He desperately wants to get the Rabbitohs over the line.
He can see the finals fast approaching. If he wants to be Mr September, the time for fun is over.
* * * * *
The trolls were out in force on Wednesday night. The women’s World Cup has been a blast but defeat in the semis brought out the worst in some.
The unsavoury attacks on Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter were a disgrace. The World Cup has done great things for football in this country but the seedy side of sport sadly can’t help but rear its head in moments like this.
Carpenter’s crime was to make a couple of mistakes that contributed to Australia’s loss in the semi-finals at the women’s World Cup. For that, she was attacked on social media by the sort of trolls who make your stomach turn. Sickening really.
She didn’t have her best night, but she wasn’t the only one at fault for a loss that left a country deflated. Sam Kerr has been rightly lauded for her stunning strike at Accor Stadium but it was no surprise to hear coach Tony Gustavsson talk about the chances she missed and how Kerr was carrying them immediately after the game.
Kerr will always remember her goal against England but we’re tipping she won’t forget the gilt-edged chances she spurned either. They, as much as anything, determined the outcome at Accor Stadium.
Carpenter’s lapse for England’s second goal came only moments after Kerr missed the chance of the game. A volley from barely six yards. A weary Kerr committed the cardinal sin. She missed the target when a gaping goal was at her mercy.
For Kerr, it was akin to a tap in. There was a header as well, although it was a more difficult chance. Again, Kerr missed the target. Chances like those make or break big games.
Kerr has been showered with praise in the aftermath to the Matildas’ stumble in the World Cup semi-final but it needs to be tempered with some reality.
She should have done better and it contributed to the Matildas’ defeat. So let’s lay off Carpenter. Instead, let’s keep showering her and her teammates in praise for their contribution to a tournament that has changed the face of women’s sport in this country.
As for Gustavsson, his part in the loss has also come under scrutiny in the wake of Wednesday night, as it should. The plan to start Kerr on the bench had worked so well in the lead-up to the England game but he changed it up and she was running on tired legs in the second half.
As good as Kerr is, the Matildas may have been better served saving her for the second half. As they say in the classics, it’s all fish and chip paper now. Hindsight, as always, is 20-20. You don’t need hindsight to tell you it’s been a cracking tournament and a ball of fun.
It didn’t end how we wanted, but it’s been one hell of a ride.
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