- Latrell Mitchell declares availability for Blues selection
- Mitchell says if coach Michael Maguire wants him, he’s in
- Mitchell posted a racy photo of him and Maguire.
Latrell Mitchell has broken his three-month silence and put his hand up for Origin selection as calls grow for the Souths superstar to be picked for Game 2 of the series.
Mitchell spent Saturday alongside Blues coach Michael Maguire at the 2014 South Sydney premiership, posing for photographs with the NSW coach and publicly declaring he wants to play against Origin.
The couple posed for jovial photos for South Sydney’s social media page, while Mitchell shared one about her own story with the caption: ‘Do we agree?’
Mitchell couldn’t have made a more compelling case on the field on Friday night, when he was involved in everything in South Sydney’s 22-12 win over Brisbane.
Latrell Mitchell hung out alongside Blues coach Michael Maguire at the 2014 South Sydney premiership meeting on Saturday – and then posted a cheeky photo on social media.
Mitchell is emerging as the favorite to replace Joseph Suaalii in the New South Wales team after the Roosters star was sent off in the Origin series opener.
The Souths No.1 also received a charge of out-of-match contrary conduct for inciting a melee after an illegal hit by Jordan Riki, but can avoid a ban by accepting a $3,000 fine.
The 26-year-old has not played in Origin since 2021 due to injuries, but is the favorite to beat Bradman Best, Jesse Ramien and Kotoni Staggs to return to the Blues team.
‘I’m ready. I’m interested,” Mitchell told Sydney Morning Herald.
‘If Madge (Maguire) wants me, I’m in. I’m ready to go to Melbourne and give it to some Queenslanders.
‘There were many doubts with NSW because they had never attended to me. I have been the scapegoat. I don’t want to go into this field being the scapegoat if they lose.
“I want to go to a camp and feel comfortable with myself, create some bonds and get ready to play for the people I want to play with.” Don’t come in and be the scapegoat for the media to say: ‘Latrell this, this and this.’
Mitchell has been in good form for Souths in recent weeks, but admits he wasn’t 100 per cent ready before Game 1.
Mitchell has been in excellent form for the Rabbitohs over the past few weeks.
“I wasn’t in the right mental space before the first game,” he said.
‘At the same time, I was probably a bit dirty because I didn’t get picked, to be honest. I was playing God there for a while. I didn’t know what he wanted. I played with fire a little. The doubt was there. I was afraid of being thrown under the bus again, but now I know where I stand as a player.
‘I’m ready to go if they choose me. “I will not disappoint the State.”
Maguire will name his team on Sunday night for Origin II at the MCG, after a nervous wait during the afternoon’s two NRL games.