Latrell Mitchell will probably play again this season, as the Rabbitohs have confirmed he won’t need surgery to treat the foot ailment that kept him out of the State of Origin showdown. Following South Sydney star Mitchell’s foot injury on Thursday night, Bradman Best emerged victorious in the competition to replace Mitchell in the NSW squad for the Origin 3.
Mitchell will miss the minimum of one month of football, but Souths said on Tuesday that he won’t need surgery to finish his season. “Mitchell has been reviewed by a surgeon this morning and a decision has been made to manage his left midfoot injury conservatively, meaning he will not require surgery,” the club stated in a statement. “Mitchell will get another scan and review in a fortnight’s time to ensure the injury is progressing.”
In the Rabbitohs’ victory over Parramatta last Thursday, Mitchell sustained a Lisfranc injury after having a brilliant performance for NSW in Game 2 at the MCG. Referred to as the “ACL of the foot,” the Lisfranc ligament was made public over the weekend, revealing that Mitchell will be sidelined for a minimum of one month.
The South Sydney star, who is worried he might need surgery and miss the remainder of the season, met with specialists on Tuesday. In any case, it appears like the Rabbitohs’ season may be finished, since Mitchell was essential to their prospects of pulling off an unexpected trip to the NRL Finals.
Souths’ victory in Round 18 has seen them win five straight games and get to within two points of the top eight. However, Mitchell has been the highlight of the team for the past two months, and it’s difficult to imagine the Bunnies winning the next four weeks without him.
“We are spoilt for choice with players who have played in that center spot, but it’s a shame to lose Latrell,” NSW coach Michael Maguire said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Sunday night. It’s among those situations. Its Source. In the NRL, teams see dramatic changes in personnel on a weekly basis as a result of unforeseen situations.
Although we are aware of Latrell’s potential, it is still a blow, in my opinion, because the Melbourne squad played brilliantly together and it allowed Latrell to play to his fullest. We shall be aiming for that team performance once more at Suncorp. Latrell undoubtedly fulfilled his role in Game 2, and all we need now is for him to step down and let the other guys to perform in Origin 3.
Bradman Latrell Mitchell is replaced by Best as the State of Origin 3 Newcastle center. Best, who made a memorable debut in Game III of the previous season, is the player the Blues brought up to replace Mitchell. Best has been playing well for the Knights lately, and he carried that form into Sunday’s game against Canberra.
Bradman is a talented player, according to Maguire. He demonstrated his ability to play at that level during his fantastic first-up experience in Origin last year. “I’ve always said that you should pick players who are in form, and Bradman is undoubtedly in form.”
Following Sunday’s 16–12 victory, Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien supported Best. “Bradman leading up before he got injured in round one was outstanding,” he stated. “The fact that he has been around for a long and has put up some strong performances is undoubtedly something that works in his favor. He’s been playing really well, and winning form is fantastic form.”
Latrell Mitchell will miss at least the next 4 weeks (& Origin 3) after scans confirmed he suffered a Lisfranc injury (via @MichaelChammas)
Specialist review to decide whether surgery required (would be season ending) or he can in fact avoid surgery (4 week recovery) on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/8sNqK9NJXz
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 7, 2024
After a subdued performance in his Sea Eagles comeback on Saturday night, Maguire avoided the temptation to select Tom Trbojevic. Trbojevic returned to the field during Manly’s victory over the Cowboys, having missing the previous two months of action.
Additionally, Maguire decided against calling up Joseph Suaalii, who started Game 1 but was substituted out after just eight minutes. Although Suaalii’s four-game suspension is officially over, the Roosters center hasn’t participated in competition in a month.
Maguire’s only other alteration for Game 3 was to substitute in-form Warriors forward Mitch Barnett for Haumole Olakau’atu. The adaptable forward made his debut in the Suncorp Stadium decider after being in the NSW squad for the previous two matches.
