From the Guardian.co.uk League writer. Excellent article.
South Sydney go from strength to strength with capture of Latrell Mitchell
The signing of the former Rooster puts the Rabbitohs close to premiership favouritism for 2020
Nick TedeschiMon 13 Jan 2020 16.30 GMT
The protracted contract saga that has seen Latrell Mitchell go through three player managers and get linked to at least five different clubs is over – for at least a year – with the star centre agreeing to terms with South Sydney.
Mitchell has inked a one-year deal with the Rabbitohs and has an option for a further season, with the Roosters eventually agreeing to release the prodigy after putting one on their rivals by insisting the money Mitchell had been paid for this season thus far be repaid before he was allowed to exit.
It has been a wild ride for Mitchell, who rejected an extension from the Roosters and immediately found himself on the outer with the club who withdrew the offer immediately. Mitchell was then linked with the Bulldogs, Tigers, Cowboys and the Titans before eventually linking with the Rabbitohs.
The deal is a massive coup for the Rabbitohs and a significant win for Mitchell, who looked set to lose significantly after saying no to the Roosters.
The Rabbitohs now have arguably the most potent backline in the NRL having landed the most dynamic player on the market. Mitchell will now follow up playing for Trent Robinson by learning at the feet of Wayne Bennett while playing for a club that has long been renowned as a leader in mentoring Indigenous talent.
Souths have tremendous leadership in owner Russell Crowe, CEO Blake Solly, football GM Shane Richardson and coach Wayne Bennett. They are all very good operators who understand that a talent of Mitchell’s calibre is rare. They are also all confident enough in both their own abilities and the structures in place at South Sydney that will ensure Mitchell gets the care and attention he needs. Souths will not try and put a round peg in a square hole.
They signed a similarly brilliant-yet-troubled player last season when James Roberts returned to the club. This is Souths’ wheelhouse. They have the genuine belief – and it comes across in their pitch – that Souths really do care and the result of that is unlocking the best out of their talent.
The Rabbitohs backline is something to behold this season. Mitchell, viewed as a long-term fullback at Souths, will likely play this season in the centres, forming the most lethal midfield combination with Roberts since Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper at the Dragons in the formative years of the NRL era.
That pairing will play outside the ever-reliable Adam Reynolds and the sublime Cody Walker. Fullback Alex Johnston has played for Australia, as has winger Dane Gagai. Campbell Graham is an emerging talent who has been touted for higher honours.
Teams often recruit to fill weaknesses. The best organisations build on strengths. The Rabbitohs had a very strong backline. They now have the best and most dynamic backline heading into the 2020 season. They have strengthened a strength.
Attention now turns to luring Jai Arrow from the Gold Coast a year early. The retirements of Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess left Souths with a hefty war chest. They’ve bided their time but they are now unleashing. If they can get Arrow for 2020, the Rabbitohs would deservedly go close to premiership favouritism. Off a top-four finish, with an upgraded roster and a coach not signed long-term, Souths are a win-now team. They are all-in on winning a title over the next two seasons and if they get Mitchell and Arrow, the two most desired players on the open market, their list management gets an A+.
Redfern is absolutely the right spot for Mitchell to boot once the bridge was burned at the Roosters. The two-time defending premiers had seen enough of the dramas surrounding Mitchell. A talented career could have gone down the gurgler at the Gold Coast or been stymied at the Bulldogs or Tigers outside some limited halves. Mitchell moves into an established culture with one of the great player coaches at the helm inside an extremely talented team ready to contend.
Mitchell needs a stable and understanding environment more than anything right now. He found it at South Sydney.
Taking all the drama out of it, this is clearly the most significant and impactful player move of the offseason. Mitchell is just 22 but has won two premierships, played four Origins and represented Australia four times. He is a rare talent and the best is still to come. This is a tremendous signing. It could be the signing that brings the most successful club in premiership history yet another title.
