NRL great PAUL GALLEN will appear on Nine’s 100% FOOTY every Monday night of the NRL season, debating rugby league’s hottest topics alongside Phil Gould and James Bracey. Tune in LIVE at 7.30pm (AEST) on 9Now tonight following a bumper round eight!
I have no idea if the reports are true that Latrell Mitchell is considering withdrawing himself from State of Origin selection.
But in reality, I’m not sure he would actually make the New South Wales team at the moment either way.
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When you look at the players available for selection, Michael Maguire is spoilt for choice in the backline.
Tom Trbojevic is close to a certainty if he can stay fit, and then there’s the likes of Joseph Suaalii, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Matt Burton, and Bradman Best fighting it out for centre positions.
There’s no doubt Latrell can be the best centre in the NRL when he’s fit and firing – he’s proven that many times over a long period.
But his form for South Sydney early this season – albeit at fullback – was down on his usual standards, and then he got suspended for three games.
With a bye in the middle that’s four weeks he is sitting on the sidelines.
He can return against the Dragons in Magic Round but then will only get three possible games to prove to Maguire he is worth selecting anyway.
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I think the Rabbitohs will probably bring him back at centre against the Dragons, and that could help his Origin case somewhat.
But he would have to have a massive three games in a row to push ahead of some of the other guys competing for Blues spots.
I can understand Latrell’s decision if he does opt out of Origin selection.
He probably saw what Kalyn Ponga did last year for Newcastle.
Ponga made himself unavailable for Queensland selection, and then led the Knights to a 10-game win streak to finish the season.
He also won himself the Dally M Medal.
I’d say Latrell has ambitions to do something similar if he does withdraw from the Blues.
South Sydney is in dire straits and Latrell is a player who can drag the team out of it – and potentially save the coach’s job.
You can’t blame him for wanting to repay the Rabbitohs.
OVER-REACTION TO MILNE ACT
There was a lot of uproar over Taane Milne’s bizarre cannonball tackle on Cameron Munster on Anzac Day.
But I think the match review committee got it right with a two-game suspension.
I personally don’t think there was malicious intent in what he did, I think it was just a really dumb decision.
With three seconds left on the clock and having already lost the game, there was no need for him to do that.
I don’t think the punishment was too harsh, and I don’t agree with suggestions he should have been suspended for longer.
I reckon two weeks is pretty much spot on for that.