Latrell Mitchell is set to take to the Origin stage for the first time since 2021, with the Rabbitohs star earning a recall to the Blues squad for the must-win Game II against the Maroons.
Mitchell was overlooked for Game I, but his play during the Rabbitohs’ three-match winning streak was excellent, earning him a spot in the middle for Game II.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mitchell joked that he “didn’t answer” Maguire’s first phone call.
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“I’ve had to overcome a lot of things that have made me more resilient and a little bit smarter,” Mitchell said Monday during a Blues Junior Football Clinic.
“I didn’t answer the first call…I just wanted to play good football for Souths and get in touch with them. That was all and the shape clearly spoke for itself.”
Veteran journalist Brent Read says the Blues team for Game II is better than Game I, and believes Mitchell is the most threatening player on the park.
“I was there on Friday and saw him against the Broncos and you saw that try he scored beating Jock Madden and Kotoni Staggs, I think. He is such a powerhouse,” Read said on NRL360.
‘He’s in the mood now. After going through a tough start to the year he’s in a good head space, he’s playing really good footy and he’s the one guy who scares me as a Queenslander and I would have had him in Game I.
“Hopefully, for the sake of New South Wales, they haven’t left it too late to bring him into the team.”
The Daily Telegraph Phil Rothfield said he admired how Mitchell “didn’t announce his availability” for Game I to focus on his form in clubland.
Now that he has earned a recall and is in red-hot form, Rothfield predicts Mitchell will be “licensed” for the offense.
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“I would imagine that Madge will give Latrell some sort of license that he can’t use in attack if we have the football that he’s not in a traditional left center position and can move around,” Rothfield said.
“I think they just want him to have the football in his hands and not have to wait for that.”
NRL360 co-host Braith Anasta disagreed, saying the Blues should “keep it simple” with Mitchell.
“He’s perhaps the best center player when he plays there. Do your job, concentrate on your job and you’ll be damned hard pressed to know how to stop,” Anasta said.
“Queensland will be upset if they don’t go after him because he hasn’t played at center for a while,” Read said.
“I know you don’t forget how to play there, but it’s been a long time since he played there.
“And Reece Walsh’s speed, no matter how good you are, he can catch you.”
