Lattrell Mitchell

[Tommy Smith]

Even the ones mentioned were a few months past their 18th birthday when they made their debut and they hardly "dominated".

And they turned 18 after and during a full pre season (Jan for GI and Feb for Hayne). Certainly not midseason like Latrell.

There are so many holes in that argument it's not funny.

[Tommy Smith]

Someone also mentioned Slater.

Debuted at 19 1/2 and is the greatest fullback of the modern era. Certainly better than GI.

[Headless Chook]

Mini was close to 20 when he debuted.....can't believe we didn't release him when he didn't debut at 18.....

[sydroosters]

I doubt a club will drop a representative player, even out of form to accommodate a player for the future. Jarryd Hayne got his chance during state of origin and didn't look back. Mitchell is obviously highly rated in the club and just has to bide his time. He will eventually get his chance and hopefully he takes it with both hands.

[mightyrooster]

You say he's ****ing around in an age restricted comp.

Firstly, he's only been eligible for 1st grade for about 10 days. So he's been ****ing around for 10 days...

Secondly, he didn't replace a Jake Webster like GI did at the Storm or some scab like Hayne did at Parra. Who do you propose he replace in our backline? Which rep player should we drop?

Now Toops had an awful game on the weekend but you still wouldn't drop him. There isn't a Jake Webster for him to replace.

Very well said TS.

[dj_sta]

2015 NSW Under-20s State of Origin Team
1. Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian Kelly (Gold Coast)
3. John Olive (South Sydney)
4. Robert Jennings (Penrith)
5. Brent Naden (Penrith)
6. Jackson Hastings (Sydney Roosters)
7. Drew Hutchison (St George Illawarra)
8. Alex Twal (Parramatta)
9. Grant Garvey (Sydney Roosters)
10. Liam Knight (Manly)
11. Joe Stimson (Melbourne)
12. Tyrell Fuimaono (Parramatta)
13. Luke Yates (Newcastle)
14. Jacob Liddle (Wests Tigers)
15. Oliver Clarke (Penrith)
16. Addison Demetriou (Manly)
17. Hame Sele (St George Illawarra)
18. Matt Woods (Wests Tigers)

Something I noticed with this side - the spine is effectively all Roosters. Which is a great sign for us.

The key will be keeping them together - Hastings & Mitchell seem locked in. Garvey will have to bide his time behind Friend. Maybe he could take up the utility spot in the next couple of years.

[Guest]

The comments that he has not dominated as an 18 year old are amongst some of the stupidest comments ever published on the Chookpen. No surprise that Danish came up with them.

[ism22]

Can't agree with that. He stays well and truly in the background.

Agreed. The only reason anybody has heard his name is because (salary cap aside) he idenitfied a lot of the current QLD Origin stars. Since then he's played a big part in signing a stack of Roosters stars who have subsequently played rep footy (and won 2 minor premierships + a premiership).

He doesn't do a Phil Gould and write regular colums about how awesome he is (and have big TV/radio rants).

If doing your job well is self promotion then sure. However, I think that's the only kind of self promotion he does.

[roosterproud]

the qld team is mainly drongos, and they are a big bunch of thugs

[Roosterfarian]

The comments that he has not dominated as an 18 year old are amongst some of the stupidest comments ever published on the Chookpen. No surprise that Danish came up with them.

100% correct on both counts.

But it comes as no surprise when you take into account the said person's history here..

[Vasco]

K

What a load of rubbish that is. I have blocked that clown so I only see the responses if someone quotes them.

The kid turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. Only an idiot would say he won't be anything special because he has not "dominated first grade at the age of eighteen".

Anyone with any doubt should get themselves a copy of last year's SG Ball Grand FInal. He won them the game single-handedly.

He is special and if all goes according to plan he will be a more than suitable replacement for Roger in the coming years.

Agreed however he has a long way to go.

First grade is a different beast. Week in week out you are up against seasoned players, many of which were junior stars like him.

Personally, I think he's a couple of years away. In fact, he may never make it.

I saw Dean Widders play a few games for our Flegg team in the late 90s. He was a freak in the making, winning games on his own, much like Mitchell did last year.

He had a decent career but never reached the heights many thought he would.

[mightyrooster]

It is crazy to think that a player who isn't dominating the NRL at age 18 isn't a real talent of the future. Some players may not even get an opportunity at that age because they are at a very strong club. Crazy.

[Johnny Tobin]

KAgreed however he has a long way to go.

First grade is a different beast. Week in week out you are up against seasoned players, many of which were junior stars like him.

Personally, I think he's a couple of years away. In fact, he may never make it.

I saw Dean Widders play a few games for our Flegg team in the late 90s. He was a freak in the making, winning games on his own, much like Mitchell did last year.

He had a decent career but never reached the heights many thought he would.

I agree that he could end up being a dud. There are plenty that did after being a star as a kid.

But going by what I am hearing from experts it's unlikely.

[Danish]

You say he's ****ing around in an age restricted comp.

Firstly, he's only been eligible for 1st grade for about 10 days. So he's been ****ing around for 10 days...

Secondly, he didn't replace a Jake Webster like GI did at the Storm or some scab like Hayne did at Parra. Who do you propose he replace in our backline? Which rep player should we drop?

Now Toops had an awful game on the weekend but you still wouldn't drop him. There isn't a Jake Webster for him to replace.

He should be playing reserve grade right now so that he actually has to deal with tackling men, not kids. He is going to be in first grade next season so no point leaving him in U20s any longer.

Look at all the players you and others have mentioned in this thread to compare Mitchell to. Inglis, Slater, Hayne.... these are literally 3 of the best fullbacks to ever play the game. 1 of them in the best fullback I've ever seen and probably in the top 5 players in my lifetime.

If you don't think that is heaping ridiculous pressure on this kid then you are kidding yourself.

I'll be happy if he ends up being in the top 8 fullbacks in the comp. Thats all he needs to be to be a success as far as I am concerned. Some of you lot already have him playing for NSW and Australia before he has even played a single game of open age footy, which is just a ludicrous amount of pressure to put on his shoulders

[mightyrooster]

He should be playing reserve grade right now so that he actually has to deal with tackling men, not kids. He is going to be in first grade next season so no point leaving him in U20s any longer.

Look at all the players you and others have mentioned in this thread to compare Mitchell to. Inglis, Slater, Hayne.... these are literally 3 of the best fullbacks to ever play the game. 1 of them in the best fullback I've ever seen and probably in the top 5 players in my lifetime.

If you don't think that is heaping ridiculous pressure on this kid then you are kidding yourself.

I'll be happy if he ends up being in the top 8 fullbacks in the comp. Thats all he needs to be to be a success as far as I am concerned. Some of you lot already have him playing for NSW and Australia before he has even played a single game of open age footy, which is just a ludicrous amount of pressure to put on his shoulders

I don't think people are saying that at all.
Speaking for myself, and I think most posters on here would agree, I am commenting on your assertion that he will amount to nothing simply because he is not dominating NRL now. I don't have any pre-conceived idea of him being an Inglis, Hayne or even an RTS. I am simply saying that you cannot write him off simply because he is not dominating NRL NOW. He may end up becoming a chanp. He may end up a good solid first grade fullback. But to say he will amount to nothing because he SHOULD be dominating NRL now, at age just turned 18, is ridiculous.