Six-year-old Stanley has been dubbed Latrell Mitchell’s “number one fan” after his father painted the New South Wales Blues’ uniform on him.
Young Stanley didn’t have a Blues jersey himself on game day but with a bit of ingenuity, his dad Lance came through with a creative solution — meticulously painting a very convincing Blues jersey.
After young Stanely’s photo was posted to social media, the internet dubbed him Lattrell Mitchel’s number one supporter. And then NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell himself ended up asking to reach out to Stanley.
When asked if he considers himself Latrell Mitchell’s number one supporter, the six-year-old is quick to answer.
“Yes. He’s powerful and strong,” he told Nesia Daily.
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‘He went viral’
Working as a Building and civil foreman, Lance usually does outdoor concrete work. But on game day, heavy rains had cancelled his job for the day. Which also freed up his time to do some painting — cue his son’s State of Origin jersey.
Lance says he didn’t think Latrell would actually see it. Stanley also added in his own flavour to the art work.
“The thing is, I decided to paint a Blues player. I didn’t know which one I’m going to do,” he told Nesia Daily.
“But [Stanley] said, I want Latrell Mitchell. I want number four. He’s a kid. He said, number four. And I said, no, he’s number three. [But he said] ‘no, no, number four’.”
While Lance went on to paint other customers that day, young Stanley went with his Mum to the nearby town of Eriku.
“And when he went to Eriku, he went viral. Both of us didn’t know … Honestly, we didn’t know he went viral.
“I was at work and one of my friends [showed me] a screenshot of the little guy, which was taken at Eriku. And then I saw the number of people sharing that photo and it went beyond 1000, and then next, two days later, I got a call. And here we are, you know …. it’s even gone to Germany.”
Lance says the club has contacted him, to say Latrell will be in touch, something he admits he at first thought was a scam.
But after the pending chat with Latrell, come game three, Stanley may not be too keen to sit through the two hour paint sesh with his Dad.
“He wants Mitchell to send him a shirt and a rugby ball,” Stanley’s dad translated, when asked what he might chat about with the NRL player.
In the meantime, Lance says the family will be watching and ready come game three — the series decider.
He’s also ready to be painting more jerseys come game day.
As for young Stanley, when asked if he’s always been a Blues supporter, the six-year-old says quickly answers “yes!”
Stanley’s special message for the final instalment.
“Blues bai win!” which means “Blues will win!”