OPINION
If the Rabbitohs want to become title contenders again, Latrell Mitchell should follow in the footsteps of Cameron Munster and move to five-eighth next year.
Veteran Cody Walker then goes to halfback and star recruit Jack Wighton can play fullback, where he starred earlier in his career.
It’s as simple as this – to win games you need your best players touching the ball as often as possible.
Latrell isn’t a small fullback and the older he gets the tougher the kilometres as going to be on his body. Playing in the halves gets him into the game and provides greater opportunities to show his talents.
It will also reduce his running requirements and Walker will get more touches at No. 7, which is only a good thing.
Desperate Dogs need to ‘steal players’ | 01:47
People love to knock Latrell but he’s got an incredible footy IQ and I believe he can emulate Munster’s move to No. 6.
It’s different from Kalyn Ponga moving into the halves because Latrell has played in the centres for Australia and NSW, so defensively there won’t be any issues.
Most of the successful teams have a ball runner at five-eighth: think of Munster, Ezra Mam at the Broncos, Dylan Brown at the Eels, Luke Keary at the Roosters.
The NRL might not be impressed with Wighton wearing the No. 1 jersey while getting paid a centre’s salary but it’s the direction Souths should head in.
BELLAMY UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has rested just about all of his stars this week in a move that will likely hand the Broncos the minor premiership.
But in what might be a first for Bellyache – the notoriously competitive coach – I don’t think he’ll mind in the slightest if his side loses.
That’s because a defeat to Brisbane will lock in a qualifying final between the sides the following week and crucially Melbourne will avoid the Panthers.
I reckon the only time Bellamy wants to face the two-time reigning premiers Penrith is if he absolutely has to in the grand final.
Conversely, Bellamy will back his club to continue their incredible 13-game winning streak against the Broncos.
The last time Brisbane beat Melbourne was in 2016 and the Broncos haven’t toppled the Storm at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.
So you can understand why Bellamy would much rather face the Broncos than the Panthers.
The Storm simply never waver from the type of player they want at the club and they just make it work, honestly, it’s remarkable.
Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant are all hitting their straps at the business end of the season and it’s not just the Broncos who should fear them.
Make no mistake, Melbourne can win another premiership this season but of all their superstars – Bellamy is the biggest.
PLAYERS JEALOUS OF TPJ WALKING AWAY
I reckon a fair few players would be envious of Tevita Pangai Jr getting to walk away from the game right now.
I know it sounds strange, but for a lot of guys the NRL isn’t everything they dreamt it would be and some players feel trapped.
It’s like in plenty of industries, you work your arse off to get your dream job and then once you land it you still find yourself unfulfilled.
I know some players feel trapped because they finally start earning some decent money, they begin earning money that allows them to begin to provide a new life for their family, potentially buy a house, and the only way to keep paying that mortgage and produce for mum and dad is to keep playing.
A tough season, minimal success and the pressure begins to rise for some.
If the reports are true, a few Bulldogs have followed TPJ out the door – but I had a chuckle at the “punishment” the Dogs dish out to players.
In my playing days, wrestling 12 teammates in a circle wasn’t a punishment, it was a drill that was just part of training.
‘Clearly the culture is not right’ | 06:27
SUAALII MUST STAY
The Roosters must not let Joseph Suaalii leave early for rugby union just to free up some space in their cap because the kid is a bona fide superstar.
Yes, he’s struggled at times in the centres this season. But play him on the wing with Dom Young next season and Roosters are going to score plenty of tries.
The headlines around Suaalii’s $5 million move to rugby would also have been a distraction for him, but now that’s behind him he’s back to his best form.
The Roosters are known for how they manage the departures of their big-name players, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sonny Bill Williams and Mitchell Pearce all still on good terms with the club.
There’s no way Trent Robinson will break up with Suaalii early and jeopardise the chance of re-signing him when he inevitably returns from rugby.
Suaalii is an elite talent, I said he should have been picked for NSW this year and he’s only just turned 20 which means he’s still five or six years away from his peak. Now there’s a scary thought for his rivals.
