Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says he can understand the relentless booing of Latrell Mitchell by Roosters fans, but hopes it is a one-off and there is no repeat on Sunday afternoon.
Mitchell, and the frosty reception he received at Allianz Stadium during the first NRL game at the new venue, became a big talking point this week with plenty of debate about how much jeering is too much.
Souths officials kicked off the argument seven days ago in The Sun-Herald when they said the booing was “typical Roosters” and the volume would be turned down this week because the Roosters’ faithful in the stands would be in the minority.
Mitchell said he was happy to be booed once or twice, but not every time he touched the ball. Roosters players said Mitchell was fair game, provided there were no lines crossed.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’Landys feared the treatment of Mitchell would be enough to turn Indigenous kids off playing league, while Souths coach Jason Demetriou asked if Souths fans had targeted Rabbitoh-turned-Rooster Luke Keary in the same fashion.
“We’re not talking about the odd heckle – we’re talking about a consistent amount of disrespect in my eyes,” Demetriou said.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell.Credit:Getty
Robinson, who won two premierships with Mitchell in 2018 and 2019, spoke on Saturday about the booing, saying he doubted there would be a repeat of the scenes.
He said Mitchell’s tackle on Joey Manu, which left him with facial fractures and ended the Roosters star’s 2021 season, was never going to be forgotten by the fans, especially at their first game back at home since the ugly clash.
“It was obvious in context with what happened last year in our last game,” Robinson said on Saturday. “It was our first home game [last Friday] and that’s where it should rest. It shouldn’t happen tomorrow.
“He’s left a huge imprint on this team, and we really care about him. My kids still ask about Latrell and if he is playing. He’s a real favourite.
“That [booing] should stay last week, and we should move on to this week’s contest. He’s very special to me and this club and the time we had here. I love seeing his smile and him happy.”
Mitchell has not been distracted by the off-field headlines and Souths players noted how focused he was for an explosive finals display.
Souths looked their most dangerous in the second half last week against the Roosters when Mitchell and Cody Walker injected themselves into the game. Mitchell was pinned deep into his own half in the early exchanges against his old club, and Robinson hoped for more of the same.
“We saw it in last night’s game [between the Panthers and Eels] and that idea of putting them as deep in their territory as possible,” Robinson said. “It will always be a game plan; fullbacks expect that, and ‘Trell’ will not expect anything different there.”
The Roosters have won eight straight and welcome the return of Daniel Tupou, Joseph Suaalii and Victor Radley, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is also ready to rip in after playing just 14 minutes last weekend following hamstring tightness.
The coach said his rampaging front-rower was “ready to go” and entitled to a mini-break after “leading the way” the back half of this year.
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