NSW have been dealt a brutal blow with Latrell Mitchell ruled out of the series opener with a calf injury two days before kick off.
In a statement, NSWRL confirmed Mitchell suffered the injury during training on Sunday with Panthers gun Stephen Crichton replacing him in the centres.
“Mitchell sustained the injury at training and scans later revealed a strain which would prevent him playing,” the statement read.
“Mitchell will be replaced by 18th man Stephen Crichton and did not travel with the team to Adelaide today.”
Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton has been called in as 18th man.
Mitchell reportedly suffered the injury during training on Sunday and sat out the final minutes before assistant coach Paul McGregor played down the blow.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I just looked at him and he’s got no ice. We’ve been swapping players in and out. The session was finished and we’re doing a bit of kick-catch and he just stopped,” McGregor said to the SMH.
“For me, he’s all right. I didn’t see anything major. Everyone’s got an issue at this time of year. We’re 12 weeks in.”
Mitchell said at the time he was free of injury, explaining “I thought I’d give Nicho (Hynes) and Critta (Stephen Crichton) a run out there.”
Crichton, who featured in all three games during the Blues’ series loss in 2022 was a late call-up to the squad at 18th man.
He replaced Rabbitohs star Campbell Graham last week after he was ruled out of 18th man duties due to a sternum injury.
Graham was initially named to play for South Sydney in Round 13 but was ruled out for the club’s loss against the Raiders.
More to come….
MORE NRL NEWS
‘SOME THEY GOT WRONG’: Seibold’s honest admission on ‘harsh’ sin bin
‘IT’S A PART OF FOOTY’: Ponga opens up on Origin exile and ‘tough months’
‘TIME TO PROTEST’: NSWRL told to scrap controversial navy blue Origin jersey
Ref overrules Bunker decision, again! | 00:49
