Latrell Mitchell act of ‘ultimate humiliation’ crosses line in eyes of some

Latrell Mitchell is the talk of the NRL world, but there was a controversial moment during his heroic performance that has raised eyebrows.

Were it not for one of the best field goals ever kicked in the NRL, the rugby league world would be having a very different discussion about Latrell Mitchell.

The Rabbitohs fullback was in a class of his own as South Sydney pulled off one of the most thrilling wins of the season on Friday night at Accor Stadium.

The mercurial No. 1 came up with countless big plays late in the game as the Bunnies came back from 14-0 down to win 22-14 — handing the Broncos their fourth loss in the past five games.

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Mitchell’s special night, which included a freakish 49m, two-point field goal in the 79th minute, has again sparked a debate about the need for NSW coach Laurie Daley to pick the former Roosters centre in his team for the State of Origin series opener.

However, another debut that has erupted surrounds the post-siren try scored by Mitchell when he barged over from dummy half.

After a play-the-ball from Silivi Havil one-metre from the try-line, Mitchell took a knee to surrender and seemingly end the game.

He then went on to teach the Broncos a schoolboy lesson with Brisbane defenders turning their backs before the play had been completed.

Billy Walters was the only defender that hadn’t been fooled by Mitchell but the Broncos hooker was powerless to stop Mitchell as he crashed over.

Selwyn Cobbo and other Brisbane defenders had already given up.

It was the cherry-on-top of his masterclass performance.

However, the gamesmanship involved has led some to suggest the act crossed the line.

Roosters halfback Chad Townsend also questioned it, posting on X: “Is that sweet what Trell Mit did at the end of the game?”

You can watch the incident in the video player above.

Latrell Mitchell caught then snoozing. Photo: Fox League.

Selwyn Cobbo was nowhere near it. Photo: Fox League.

One NRL fan posted on X: “Latrell Mitchell won his team the game, but pretending the game is over then scoring a try is against the spirit of the game. Might be unpopular opinion but he stopped as if the game had finished”.

One fan laughed while calling it “disrespectful”.

Another fan wrote: “That by Latrell is not sportsmanlike at all”.

NRL greats on Fox League and Channel 9, however, saw the funny side of it.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said Mitchell had “rubbed it in” with the controversial try.

Nine’s Mat Thompson said it was the “ultimate humiliation” for the Broncos.

Phil Gould said Mitchell had “played dead”.

“He pulled their pants down in public and embarrasses them on the last play of the game,” he said.

The debate in no-way takes the shine off Mitchell’s superstar performance.

Latrell Mitchell put in an all-time great performance on Friday night. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Returning from suspension with his State of Origin spot on the line, Mitchell was immense.

Even before his incredible field goal, he was arguably the player of the match as he proved a handful for defenders every time he touched the ball and also saved several tries with incredible last-ditch defence.

However, in a moment sure to be replayed for many years to come, it was his field goal that stole the show.

With three minutes to go and the game tied at 14-all, Mitchell slotted a field goal from almost the halfway line that never looked like missing.

After seeing the ball sail over the black dot, Mitchell expressionless turned away and walked back to the other end as his Rabbitohs teammates jumped all over him, almost saying with his body language ‘That’s just what I do’.

Daley, meanwhile, would have been watching on with a massive smile across his face.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell act of ‘ultimate humiliation’ crosses line in eyes of some