Latrell Mitchell’s season may have ended last week after the Rabbitohs were knocked out of the finals by the Panthers but that did not stop the South Sydney fullback from joining a host of current and former NRL stars at the Koori Knockout this weekend.
Mitchell has been a man in demand, running around for Walgett Aboriginal Connection and continuing his try-scoring form from the Rabbitohs.
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The 25-year-old joined forces with former NRL players Ben Barba, Joel Thompson and George Rose as he helped the WAC team to a 16-6 win over the South Coast Black Cockatoos.
Both Barba and Mitchell scored scintillating tries in the win, with Rose telling The Daily Liberalthat it is “wonderful” to have the Rabbitohs fullback supporting the community.
“We look after Trell and we’re very close. We’re like family with Trell and it’s wonderful he’s come along and joined us,” Rose said.
“Just the fact Latrell Mitchell is playing at a knockout is special, let alone that he’s playing with us.”
Mitchell then faced off against Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker in a big clash between Walgett and Bundjalung on day two, with the fullback taking bragging rights.
“Bra look at the size of him I’ll be lucky to tackle him lol,” Walker told NITVwhen asked if he was going to give it to his teammate.
Mitchell scored two tries in the 16-10 victory while Walker also had a four-pointer. Fellow NRL stars Josh Addo-Carr and Daine Laurie are also in action at the Knockout.
Mitchell’s season will likely continue later this year with selection in Mal Meninga’s Australian squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
The Daily Telegraph had reported after South Sydney’s preliminary final loss that Mitchell had played through the game with a rib injury, which he was managing with painkillers.
Rose said it was a challenge for the team to come together for the opening game of the Knockout, having only had the one training session prior.
“Don’t get me wrong, as you go on it’s a different type of hardness that comes into play but that first one, when you’ve first come together and you need to click, and you’ve got to get it all right, it’s a really tough game,” he said.
“We’ve got a good, strong squad and it’s always nice to have those superstars that love coming back. People like Benny Barba and obviously this year having someone like Latrell Mitchell is pretty cool.”
