It’s tricky writing anything even vaguely critical of Latrell Mitchell . You need to issue a disclaimer, otherwise you’ll be branded either a Souths hater, a Roosters lover or a racist. The last time I checked, I was none of the above.
So when I write that NSW coach Michael Maguire should resist calls to name the South Sydney fullback at left centre for the opening State of Origin match against Queensland, understand it’s not a personal attack, it’s not a pile-on, but merely an opinion. Mitchell doesn’t deserve a sky-blue jumper this year, nor can he be trusted to perform in it. Too many rocks, not enough diamonds.
Which is a great shame for both him and us, because when he’s in full flight, chest puffed out, swatting away defenders like they’re fruit flies, it’s something to behold. Too many rocks, not enough diamonds this season for Latrell Mitchell to be picked for NSW for Origin I. Credit: Brook Mitchell Maguire names his first Blues side on Sunday night and it can’t come quick enough given the players he’s had to put a red line through because of injury.
The mere thought of picking Mitchell, whose form has been indifferent at best, would have been scoffed at a few weeks ago. But injuries to Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), Bradman Best (hamstring) and now Kotoni Staggs (broken rib) on top of the long-term sternum injury to Campbell Graham means the pool of available centres has dried up. The Bulldogs’ Stephen Crichton is a certainty, but Maguire has only .