NRL 360 host Paul Kent has praised South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell for “giving up being the victim” leading into his biggest game for the club.
Mitchell missed the grand final last year through suspension but will line up for Rabbitohs in the rematch when they face Penrith in their elimination final on Saturday night.
The Souths fullback made headline leading into the finals when he called out Roosters fans for booing him and comparing the situation to the Adam Goodes saga in the AFL.
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Mitchell was then accused of staying down for penalties but laughed it off by telling people to start calling him “Trell Milk”.
Kent believes his relaxed and happy approach should have the Panthers worried.
“He’s given up the victim part of it,” Kent said on NRL 360.
“For a while there he was like ‘I’m loving this then the next it was don’t boo me it’s not fair’ and he’s got rid of that.
“It’s good to see him enjoying himself and all the power to him, I like the way he’s played obviously and he’s a danger for Penrith this week but he seems happy in himself, it’s increasing, it’s on the rise.”
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Veteran journalist was at Rabbitohs training on Tuesday and said he could see the change in Mitchell this week.
“I was out at Souths training today and that was noticeable Kenty, he was really chilled and relaxed,” Riccio said.
“The special players know how to just chill out and prepare themselves for the big game when it matters.
“The big thing about training at South Sydney is the community can come and watch and I think that’s a big part of embracing what this is, a September finals series and Latrell does that better than most. He’s signing autographs, smiling for photos.”
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Fellow journalist Paul Crawley believes Mitchell is the only reason Souths are 80 minutes away from the grand final.
“As Nathan Cleary said, he is a once in a lifetime player this guy,” Crawley said.
“He puts himself out there and up for the criticism but he also goes out there and has carried South Sydney into a preliminary final.
“If he wasn’t there this year they would be nowhere near it, but he’s given everyone around him confidence and they go into this game a huge chance.”
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