Thursday 24th June, 2024
“Brutal Walsh moment highlights explosive Origin return”
Rugby League reports
Latrell Mitchell puts Reece Walsh down hard. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Latrell Mitchell has avoided a suspension that could have rubbed him out for the series decider as the South Sydney star was lauded for his explosive return to the State of Origin arena.
Mitchell was immense in the Blues’ 38-18 victory over Queensland at the MCG having been overlooked by Michael Maguire for the series opener.
The 27-year-old scored one try, set up another and was a constant menace in both defence and attack — his imposing presence highlighted by one second half moment where he brutally, but legally, ragdolled Maroons superstar Reece Walsh.
Mitchell was placed on report for a first half high shot on Murray Taulagi and his rap sheet meant a medium grade charge could threaten his availability for next month’s Game Three at Suncorp Stadium.
However he received only a Grade 1 careless high tackle charge, meaning he will escape with a fine over the incident.
Mitchell earned widespread praise for his performance, with Queensland legend Darren Lockyer noting the Rabbitohs star also showed his maturity.
“I don’t think he overplayed his hand,” Lockyer said on the Channel 9 coverage.
“I think he just came to do his hand. I think he just came to do his job and when you do that, you’ll come up with some big plays, like he did tonight. I think he was really good.
Fellow Origin legend Andrew Johns added: “(The) question mark around Latrell coming into tonight was defence. (He’s) been playing fullback for a couple of years. But defensively (he’s) read the ball really well, and attacked it really well.”
Perhaps the biggest wrap of the centres performance came from his former coach Brad Fittler. “(He) lived up to the hype, and was outstanding.”
Mitchell was keen to deflect to his teammates when asked about his own performance.
“We dedicated ourselves to defending there and showing the Blue wall. (Cheering) how good is that,” he said post-game.
“You know what, mate, I honestly don’t make it about myself. It’s about the people that showed up today, about everyone here in blue jerseys, blue shirts, our families showing up, NSW showing up, mate. It’s a neutral ground to come to. We’ve got a job to do.
“I’m optimistic, mate, I tell you what. Keep showing up, keep working on what we were trying to work on what we were trying to work on there. We’ve got a couple of weeks to go to prepare for that.”
Blues coach Maguire agreed the team’s performance helped bring out the best in Mitchell.
“When you’ve got the calibre of players around someone like Latrell it allows him to go and do what he needs to do,” he said.
“Rather than singling out one player… Latrell’s a great player and we all know that.
“Where he’s at the moment and how he’s playing his footy, it’s great when everyone else plays their part it allows Latrell to shine and do all the things we admire.”
