It will be a huge moo-ment for Latrell Mitchell this weekend as the Rabbitohs fullback plays his 150th NRL game then achieves a childhood dream of entering two cows in his first Easter Show competition.
Mitchell brings up his rugby league milestone for South Sydney against Canterbury on Friday – then 48 hours later hopes his heifers Talkin’ Dirty and Quartz can impress the judges.
The Souths ace has entered the cows, bred by Warrigal Limousins, under his brand Winmarra and HMK Cattle Co. The key to succeeding in the cattle competition was “making them look pretty and feeing them”.
“We’ve got two heifers, nine to 14 months old, so hopefully they get junior champs and you see me walking around [the show] on Sunday,” Mitchell said.
Pressed on how the cattle were looking, Mitchell quipped: “They’re looking good, like me.
“I’ve always had this goal. Me and my mate have talked about it for a long time, and even before I started playing footy – it’s taken ten to 15 years, but we’re here. It’s enjoyable and something I love.”
Latrell Mitchell at training on MondayCredit:Natalie Boog/SMH
Mitchell debuted way back in 2016 for the Sydney Roosters against Souths, and was chuffed about the milestone.
“I never thought I’d play one game, [being] a kid from Taree, but to play 150, it’s very special to me and my family,” Mitchell said.
“I’ve had to grow a lot in a short amount of time – I thank you fellas [the media] for that – but I’m very proud and can’t wait.
“Everyone thinks I’m 35 and at the end of my career and meant to know everything. I’m only 25, I’m still learning, that’s the beauty of our game, we get to enjoy it every week, we take our learnings – I don’t take them as losses, I take them as lessons.”
Mitchell is one of the most explosive players in the game and also one of the most vocal when it comes to Indigenous issues and inequality.
The Herald revealed on Monday that Souths had no interest in Mitchell meeting the young fan who was fined by police for abusing him at BlueBet Stadium in round two. Mitchell reiterated his club’s view.
“It’s in the NRL’s hands, I’ve just got to focus on footy – it’s not my problem, it’s the people involved. I have to focus on myself and my role here,” Mitchell said.
Souths have won two and dropped three games against five title contenders to start the season, and will not get it easy on Good Friday clash against a spirited Bulldogs side coming off a golden-point win.
Mitchell was quiet against the Storm before he injected himself into the contest late, and knows he needs to be busier earlier.
Campbell Graham did not train on Monday morning, but is expected to play on Friday, while Jai Arrow and Junior Tatola trained separately and will not return from a hamstring and knee injury respectively for the traditional Accor Stadium clash.
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