Wayne Bennett has confirmed Latrell Mitchell will return to the South Sydney No.1 jersey, but Cameron Murray’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles has been delayed after he was hospitalised with an infection.
After three games building his fitness in the centres and at five-eighth, Mitchell will replace Jye Gray in the custodian role for Friday’s clash against Melbourne.
Gray will be retained on the interchange, with Cody Walker and Jayden Sullivan the starting halves.
There has been plenty of debate about whether to keep Gray at fullback with Mitchell in the halves or centre.
When asked if he could understand the merit in retaining Gray in the No.1 role, Bennett chuckled as he told this masthead: “I can understand people don’t really know what they’re talking about when they talk like that.
“Jye has done a great job at fullback. But they bring different things, and it’s what you’re looking for.
Latrell Mitchell will be back in the No.1 jersey for Souths on Friday.Credit: NRL Photos
“It wasn’t the plan to put Latrell in the other positions, but with our injuries and what we’ve had to manage, we couldn’t manage it.
“But it’s time to move him back to fullback. I think we can do that now. Jye will be on the interchange bench.”
Gray’s speed around the ruck against tiring defences could prove an attacking masterstroke. Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen was used in that manner to great success at the start of his NRL career.
Sullivan missed the Good Friday loss to Canterbury because of suspension, but returns to halfback, with Jamie Humphreys a chance to overcome a hamstring injury for Saturday week’s Magic Round clash against the Knights.
Englishman Lewis Dodd made his debut off the bench in the heavy loss to the Bulldogs, but has missed out on the trip to AAMI Park. Bennett said Dodd got a “tough deal” by entering a game that was already decided. Dodd was heckled by Bulldogs fans as he sat on the bench in the first half.
“It’s a proud day for me and my family to run out there – I can call myself an NRL player now,” he said.
Souths have lost all 19 games when they have played the Storm in Melbourne. According to statistician David Middleton, Bennett’s record in the Victorian capital is six wins from 20 games, with his last win in 2016 when in charge of Brisbane.
Murray and Mitchell (hamstring) broke down at the same training session in February, with the skipper admitted to hospital a couple of weeks ago.
“He had to spend a few days on antibiotics,” Bennett said.
“I’m not sure how much longer it will set him back. We were always looking at around six months, which was around late August.
“I’m not resigned to anything. We’ll see where it goes. We don’t know. I don’t think Cam knows. He’s probably looking at seven to eight months now, but I don’t know. That’s what I’m assuming.”
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