Over to you Madge.
Latrell Mitchell was larger than life, and there just might be life in the Rabbitohs yet as the South Sydney superstar mounted a nigh-irresistible case for a NSW Origin recall in bashing Brisbane out of the top eight.
Michael Maguire and Mitchell will both be in the throws of a red and green love-in on Saturday when the Rabbitohs 2014 premiership is celebrated, and could easily throw some sky-blue in as well given Mitchell’s dominance of a 22-12 triumph at Accor Stadium.
Latrell Mitchell celebrates Alex Johnston’s try.Credit: Getty Images
With skipper Cameron Murray also returning from a hip-flexor injury to push for an Origin II berth, South Sydney produced their best half of the season against a Broncos outfit that never left the gate.
By half-time it was 18-0 and by full-time Mitchell had been in the thick of anything and everything good, bad and in between. Jordan Riki’s heavy second-half hit on Murray off the ball earned both he and Mitchell a sin-bin stint, the latter for “completely escalating the situation” by running 30 metres to give Riki what-for.
Almost an hour earlier, Mitchell started his night with a lengthy break down the left edge and tapped once more into the effort areas he’s so often accused of glossing over.
When Souths couldn’t capitalise on the attacking set, Mitchell was huffing, puffing and fuming at fullback for the entirety of the next set, then went about ensuring any more chances weren’t squandered.
Damien Cook, who doesn’t want to leave the Rabbitohs but has been put up for sale with the Dragons very interested, did his market value no harm by scoring the first try and piloting Mitchell over from short range for the third. On both occasions Brisbane’s goal-line defence went missing, and despite improved efforts as the contest wore on, they were just never in it.
Mitchell snuffed out one attacking raid with a one-on-one strip on his goal line, then offered up another right on halftime with a punt for touch that sailed out on the full to give the Broncos one last attacking play.
Otherwise though, Mitchell’s hefty right boot menaced in miserable conditions, with Brisbane’s backs spilling multiple bombs that the star fullback rained down.
A dubious last pass for Alex Johnston 191st NRL try – moving to outright second on the all-time try-scorer’s list behind Billy Slater – was ruled fair game and added to an impressive stat line for the prospective NSW centre.
Mitchell’s try, try-assist, 14 runs for 166 metres with five tackle busts, seven kicks and four errors, in only 70 minutes, spoke to a wider Souths performance dripping in effort and commitment.
Even with Richie Kennar sin-binned for an ugly high tackle on Selwyn Cobbo, the Rabbitohs defended with desperation rarely seen this season, a root cause of their cellar-dwelling status.With Mitchell, Cook, Murray, Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi on the field and on song, they won’t stay there much longer.
Jai Arrow clutching his wrist in pursuit of late Deine Mariner try was the Rabbitohs only concern for the evening. But by the end of the weekend Souths will be three wins adrift of whoever is sitting in eighth spot.
For the Broncos, their third loss on the trot will have them dropping to at least ninth come Sunday night, and their slide down the ladder is only gaining momentum.
Plenty of chances were created by Kevin Walters’ side, but even more mistakes were made. Not until the 66th minute did Mariner beat Johnston all ends up, before flying over for the most spectacular of touchdowns in the corner, did Brisbane trouble the scorers.
Mitchell was right there in defence, making the Broncos flyer earn every bit of it.
You suspect Mitchell has just done the same with that sky-blue jumper.