Latrell Mitchell is back – and Blues fans couldn’t be more appreciative.
After three years in the Origin wilderness one of rugby league’s biggest stars returned with a bang at the MCG on Wednesday night, making a major impact as NSW levelled the series with a 38-18 win.
Mitchell scored a first half try and made his presence felt all over the park – particularly to Reece Walsh who he picked up and dumped in one tackle and also shoved out of play on another occasion.
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Channel 9’s Paul Gallen was quick to seek the Souths fullback out after the final whistle and Mitchell couldn’t even get through one answer in the interview before being silenced in a touching moment.
After seeing their prodigal son broadcast on the big screen inside the stadium, Blues fans erupted – and the noise was so loud Mitchell stopped the interview to soak it up.
Queensland fans responded with boos but it didn’t deter the superstar.
“How good’s that,” he said, raising a hand to acknowledge the support.
Gallen also grinned broadly. “Latrell I know it’s not about you, but you belong at this level,” he said. “It must be good to be back.”
“I’m honestly not making it about myself,” Mitchell replied. “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.
“We’ve got another one to go. Very proud of the boys. Our week was very special, I loved it.”
Speaking to Fox Sports News after the match Mitchell revealed he had been “emotional” immediately after the final siren.
“It was quite emotional after the game,” he said.”
“It’s been a long time. I love playing Oring. I bleed blue and I’m happy to be back.”
Mitchell had opened up about being a controversial figure in the game in a moving pre-match interview.
“I just feel like a lot of people hate me. They don’t know me,” Mitchell told Nine before Game 2.
“A lot of people tend to paint me as the villain all the time so I tend to shut the doors on who I am as a person. That’s who I am at the moment because of how I’ve been sh*t on in my past time.
“But I’ve learned a lot from those situations, being young and taken advantage of.
“If the media just shut up and let me play, honestly, I could amaze you.
“All I ever done was stuck up for my culture, my people and my family.”
Plenty of pundits were quick to praise Mitchell after the game.
Queensland legend Darren Lockyer said: “(Latrell) lived up to the hype, (he) was outstanding.
“I don’t think he overplayed his hand. 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.”
The Oracle wrote on X: “Latrell Mitchell is still the best centre in the world. He’s unstoppable.”
And teammate Angus Crichton said his former Roosters teammate was a welcome addition.
“I’m so happy for the big fella. He’s a freak when he gets going, there’s an aura about him,” Crichton said.