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THE Sydney Roosters are delicately balancing the process of bringing through one of the NRL’s most exciting prospects, 17-year-old fullback Latrell Mitchell.
If everything goes according to plan, Mitchell could well end-up a once-in-a-generation NRL star.
Rumblings about Mitchell’s talent have been growing increasingly loud over the last 12 months, with the Roosters’ rookie single-handedly winning last year’s SG Ball grand final and man of the match honours.
Mitchell then scored 13 tries in seven matches on the Australian Schoolboys Tour of Europe, where he was also named player of the tournament.
At 188cms, 95kg and of Aboriginal descent, the comparisons with Indigenous superstar Greg Inglis are inevitable.
Mitchell even hails from Taree in northern NSW, only 170kms south on the Pacific Highway from GI’s home town of Macksville.
The good news for Blues fans is, long-term he’s under lock and key having already played NSW under 16s and 18s.
But the comparisons with Inglis at such a young age are grossly unfair.
Remember when Jarrod Mullen got labelled the next Joey Johns or Braith Anasta the next Freddy Fittler?
It was an unnecessary curse fraught with pressure.
At 17, Mitchell has a mountain of hard work in front of him.
Contracted to the Roosters until the end of next season, the Tricolours are well advanced in negotiations to extend his deal long-term.
Despite still qualifying to play SG Ball, Mitchell is currently training with the Roosters under 20s team where he’ll start the season.
If he progresses as expected, it’s going to be impossible for Roosters coach Trent Robinson to ignore him once Mitchell turns 18 in the middle of the year.
Aside from try-scoring prowess, Mitchell also relishes the defensive side of the game.
During an opposed training session between the Roosters under 20s and the NRL side last year, the rookie dislocated his collarbone tackling NSW and Australian backrower Boyd Cordner.
Fittingly, Mitchell also has Australian sporting royalty coursing through his veins.
The teenager is directly related to tennis champion Evonne Goolagong on his mum’s side.
If everything goes according to plan, Mitchell could well end-up a once-in-a-generation NRL star.
Rumblings about Mitchell’s talent have been growing increasingly loud over the last 12 months, with the Roosters’ rookie single-handedly winning last year’s SG Ball grand final and man of the match honours.
Mitchell then scored 13 tries in seven matches on the Australian Schoolboys Tour of Europe, where he was also named player of the tournament.
At 188cms, 95kg and of Aboriginal descent, the comparisons with Indigenous superstar Greg Inglis are inevitable.
Mitchell even hails from Taree in northern NSW, only 170kms south on the Pacific Highway from GI’s home town of Macksville.
The good news for Blues fans is, long-term he’s under lock and key having already played NSW under 16s and 18s.
But the comparisons with Inglis at such a young age are grossly unfair.
Remember when Jarrod Mullen got labelled the next Joey Johns or Braith Anasta the next Freddy Fittler?
It was an unnecessary curse fraught with pressure.
At 17, Mitchell has a mountain of hard work in front of him.
Contracted to the Roosters until the end of next season, the Tricolours are well advanced in negotiations to extend his deal long-term.
Despite still qualifying to play SG Ball, Mitchell is currently training with the Roosters under 20s team where he’ll start the season.
If he progresses as expected, it’s going to be impossible for Roosters coach Trent Robinson to ignore him once Mitchell turns 18 in the middle of the year.
Aside from try-scoring prowess, Mitchell also relishes the defensive side of the game.
During an opposed training session between the Roosters under 20s and the NRL side last year, the rookie dislocated his collarbone tackling NSW and Australian backrower Boyd Cordner.
Fittingly, Mitchell also has Australian sporting royalty coursing through his veins.
The teenager is directly related to tennis champion Evonne Goolagong on his mum’s side.
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