‘Pick me, Madge!’ Latrell Mitchell makes compelling case for NSW Origin withdrawal as Rabbitohs edge Broncos

Latrell Mitchell has made a compelling case for NSW State of Origin withdrawal, starring South Sydney making it three straight NRL wins following a stunning 22-12 defeat of Brisbane.

Just days before Michael Maguire names his Blues team for Origin II, Mitchell was on everything from the try-scorers list to the sin-bin as the Rabbitohs dominated at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

The result also meant three consecutive defeats for Brisbane, who will now finish the round outside the top eight after falling behind 22-0 at the start of the second half.

On a historic night for the Rabbitohs, winger Alex Johnston moved second on rugby league’s all-time try scorers list when he overtook Billy Slater with the 191st triple of his career.

Damien Cook also got an early try as he fights for his future at the club, while Cody Walker was solid at halfback to keep the Rabbitohs’ faint finals hopes alive.

Just days before Blues coach Michael Maguire (pictured) names his team for Origin II, Latrell Mitchell was all over it.

But the main man was Mitchell, who will see Maguire at a Rabbitohs 2014 premiership meeting on Saturday, after making his case to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for New South Wales.

Mitchell’s first major impact came when he went 80 meters downfield from his own side early in the game, before being denied by Jordan Riki just before the line.

After Cook and Keaon Koloamatangi each scored tries, Mitchell had one of his own when he overtook Jock Madden and fellow NSW center hopeful Kotoni Staggs to make the score 18-0.

And when the Rabbitohs were down to 12 men before half-time after Richie Kennar was penalized for a high kick, it was Mitchell who denied the Broncos with a one-on-one strip.

Mitchell then played the final pass for Johnston’s historic try after the break, sending in a cut ball that hit the winger in the chest and secured him an easy passage to the line.

The 26-year-old was seen with ice on his ribs after the match, but the Rabbitohs played down any concerns.

‘Latrell is ready to go (for Origin). He’s a good player, he’s prepared,” interim coach Ben Hornby said.

Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby declared Latrell Mitchell was set for a NSW recall ahead of the second game in Melbourne.

Latrell Mitchell last played with Origin for NSW in 2021 (pictured scoring a try against the Broncos)

‘I liked all his effort plays. She’s been doing that for a couple of weeks now.

‘He was great for us. “I thought the case for him (the New South Wales team) was compelling three weeks ago.”

The only thing that could stop the fullback on Friday night was the sin-bin, after he ran and escalated into a melee following Riki’s wild hit on Cameron Murray without the ball.

Murray otherwise emerged from his return match unscathed with a hip injury, which also improved his chances of regaining his NSW jersey.

Mitchell has not played for NSW since he was arguably their best player in the 2021 series win, with injuries derailing his hopes in the two seasons since.

But many Queenslanders see him as the man they hope the Blues don’t pick.