South Sydney slump signals return to bad old days with golden boy missing again | NRL

He arrived at Redfern obese, riven with harm niggles, in a cloud of unfavorable headlines. However he was a champion, a consultant participant at state and nationwide degree and a talisman within the Indigenous neighborhood. South Sydney knew this man may supercharge a golden period.

He’d debuted as a youngster, received premierships as a centre however his true future was as a fullback. That’s the place you park the status automobiles in rugby league – and it’s why you pay high greenback. Certain sufficient, with No 1 on his again, the champion colt grew to become a legendary thoroughbred.

It was not Latrell Mitchell, however Greg Inglis who arrived at Souths in 2011, shifted to fullback in 2012, and delivered a premiership in 2014, the primary in 43 years for a membership that had endured a torrid run of wasted potential, horrible luck, shonky administration and abysmal on-field outcomes.

Those self same costs are being levelled on the 2024 Rabbitohs who sit final on the NRL ladder after a 1-4 begin that has coach Jason Demetriou’s job on a knife-edge this weekend. And the place is his star No 1 Mitchell? Suspended once more on a harmful contact cost.

For rusted-on members of the pink and inexperienced machine, it’s a tragic return to the dangerous outdated days. South Sydney’s droop could also be their worst begin to a season since 2008 however that yr they went 0-7 earlier than tasting victory and in 2006 it was 0-12 earlier than the win column was notched.

That is worse. Souths – the NRL’s most deadly attacking facet – lack spark and look depressing. Their Origin gamers are conspicuously out of shape and one, veteran hooker Damien Prepare dinner, has simply been dropped. With an inside evaluation underneath method and the season in freefall, heads are being hunted. Mitchell’s melon, price $875,000 a yr, sits highest above the parapet.

After Inglis delivered the 2014 fairytale, Mitchell’s 2020 signing was to underpin a decade of Rabbitohs dominance. The NRL’s brightest star and its oldest membership, the membership of his father no much less, with the richest Indigenous historical past within the NRL. Largely, Mitchell got here to play fullback.

Fullbacks are rugby league’s superstars. That No 1 jersey carries energy – and accountability. Prowling behind the strains, diffusing excessive kicks and making try-saving tackles, they play on the again however spearhead their groups, inverting the arrow of assault to blow up by way of the road.

However Mitchell hasn’t delivered as Inglis did. He cops loads for it too, and is routinely booed and jeered by opposing followers. However stats matter. In 4 seasons on the Roosters, he notched 96 video games and scored 65 tries. In the identical time at Souths, harm and suspension has yielded solely 64 video games for simply 34 tries.

Not solely is he taking part in fewer video games and producing fewer factors with diminished impression, Mitchell hasn’t been there for Souths after they wanted him most. He was injured after they fell one recreation wanting the grand closing in 2010 and suspended of their failed efforts to succeed in the 2023 finals.

In between, Souths made the 2021 grand closing – their second decider in 50 years. However Mitchell was lacking once more. Caving in Joey Manu’s cheek value him six weeks on the sidelines. It value his membership rather more. They had been pipped 14-12 that yr by Penrith’s late intercept, leaving followers to ponder if Mitchell’s capability for magic may need been the distinction.

Mitchell’s grubbiness hasn’t gone away in 2024 however recurred as quick as his efficiency dwindled. Late hits, lifting tackles, raised elbows, stray boots, raked fingers throughout the face and extra. Solely a few of these have drawn costs, however all are actually drawing the ire of the sport’s followers.

Souths proceed to guard their golden boy. Former coach Wayne Bennett let Mitchell skip coaching to relax on the farm and Demetriou has spurned calls to snap his star’s lazy streak and curb his pink mist by transferring him nearer to the motion.

Now rumours of unrest throughout the workforce are rising. Allegations of favouritism to Mitchell noticed membership legend Sam Burgess stroll out as assistant coach mid-year and winger Alex Johnston just lately noticed pink when Demetriou praised a sort out by Mitchell that concussed his opponent.

At Souths’ under-siege headquarters this week, Mitchell apologised to his workforce for the “silly issues”. The place usually he would retreat to his farm, he vowed to remain in camp, doing extras on his personal recreation and serving to others with theirs. At 26, after 9 seasons on the high, maybe it’s time Mitchell mirrored extra deeply. He has scattered some magic at Souths, however his legacy is shaky.

With out Mitchell but once more, Demetriou has determined to blood youth in a determined bid to beat the Sharks and save Souths’ season (and his personal job). Native junior Jye Grey – at 170cm the shortest participant in NRL historical past – will put on the No 1 jersey. The pint-sized rookie has huge boots to fill however, as Mitchell may remind him, reputations don’t win rugby league video games.