Mitchell’s next month is crucial for Souths and NSW, says Fittler

Brad Fittler says Latrell Mitchell’s hopes of a NSW Origin recall will all hinge on how he trains during the month he is suspended, rather than what he produces in his two games before the first Blues squad is selected.

While “gobsmacked” and “extremely disappointed” by Mitchell’s four-match ban for his hit on Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma, Fittler said he had spoken with the South Sydney pin-up who was keen for another shot at Queensland.

Latrell Mitchell at the NRL judiciary.Credit:NRL Photos

Fittler backed Mitchell to keep his cool on the big arena, and if the Maroons tried to get under his skin like the Tigers did last Saturday, it also had the potential to bring out his ferocious best.

Mitchell was seen as the front-runner to be NSW’s left centre, and said himself he would use the next month to “freshen up” and motivate his Souths teammates. He will be at Friday’s game on the Gold Coast.

“The key now with Latrell is what he does these next four weeks,” Fittler told the Herald.

“I think he’ll come back well. He’s got two games when he comes back against Penrith and Parramatta. It’s nearly made for him if he wants to do it.”

Latrell Mitchell dominated Queensland in game one at the MCG in 2018.Credit:NRL Photos

Mitchell’s aggression will be welcomed by the Blues who were criticised for lacking mongrel last year, especially during the series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium.

Fittler said he had seen rival teams try and fire up Mitchell in the past but to their own detriment.

“I’m not worried about that, you put faith in your players,” Fittler said. “Latrell also seems to know how to use that aggression sometimes to his own advantage. I’ve seen him in one of those moods like the one he got into against the Tigers. He just wants to grab the ball.

“I’ve had a few chats with him. We’re good. I’ve never been one to hold grudges. My job is to pick the best NSW team.”

Mitchell told NITV’s Over The Black Dot program on Wednesday night he had spoken with Fittler this week and they had well and truly moved on from their “tiff”, which stemmed from his mid-series axing in 2019.

“I’ve been speaking to Freddy the last couple of days, he’s been ringing me, it’s surprising, but in a good way,” Mitchell said. “I’m always going to be ready for Origin. I’ve got a taste for Origin now and I know what the game brings.

“I love being on the big stage and doing what I do best.

“It’s time for me to freshen up now. At the end of the day I can’t change the decision. I need to do my part for the team and for Wayne [Bennett]. Wayne wants me to go up to the Gold Coast tomorrow and be around the boys. I’ll do my part and be a leader and bring that motivation and energy for the boys.”

Fittler’s skipper James Tedesco will be fullback, while Mitchell and fellow club No.1s Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and even Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson are pushing hard to start game one in Melbourne on June 9.

At left centre, Stephen Crichton and incumbent Jack Wighton are Mitchell’s biggest threats.

Wighton is also locked in a three-way battle for the No.6 jersey with Jarome Luai and Cody Walker. Fittler likes the trio and said the abundance of in-form five-eighths was the same problem Queensland faced just a few years ago when halves Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster and Michael Morgan were all viable options.

As for Mitchell’s lengthy ban, Fittler was in the corner of Bennett and respected judge Phil Gould who was incensed at the inconsistencies with player bans.

“I’m extremely disappointed with what happened to him at the judiciary. Fair dinkum, it’s ridiculous, it’s crazy – I’m actually gobsmacked,” Fittler said.

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