Latrell Mitchell is the center of attention for Brisbane as they face South Sydney, with a potential NSW recall at stake for the in-form fullback.
The Broncos aim to make Mitchell work hard on Friday night, relying on halfback Jock Madden’s precise kicking game to limit his impact, while remaining wary of the havoc Mitchell can wreak if left unchecked.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters stated, “He’ll be out there tomorrow night, and we’ll be very mindful of his presence.”
When Mitchell is playing at his best, the Rabbitohs typically excel. The Broncos need to neutralize his influence or risk a repeat of his recent masterclass against the Gold Coast.
Mitchell has a strong track record against the Broncos, boasting four wins from the last five matchups and scoring six tries in his past four games against them.
With a center spot available for the Blues in the State of Origin series’ second game, Mitchell is competing with Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien, Newcastle’s Bradman Best, and versatile Canterbury No.6 Matt Burton, who played center in Penrith’s 2021 grand final win.
Blues coach Michael Maguire would have been impressed by Mitchell’s recent performance against the Titans, where his defensive commitment and positioning stood out as much as his long-range try and three try assists.
Mitchell dominated the 2021 Origin series but has been sidelined by injury since. Overlooked for NSW’s 38-10 loss to the Maroons in game one, he can solidify his case for a recall with another standout performance against the Broncos.
This is where Madden’s kicking game becomes crucial. By getting his angles right, he must force Mitchell to cover a lot of ground, preventing him from playing comfortably.
