Latrell Mitchell - what a player

[HarryofOz]

Great article from the Guardian about our mighty Latrell

Latrell can lead Souths to glory

 

[RabbitJ]

A good read - thanks for posting

 

[bigbopper]

Matty Johns view

REBUILT MITCHELL CAN CARRY RABBITOHS TO GLORY

The Souths Sydney Rabbitohs haven’t spent money more wisely than sending Latrell Mitchell to Philadelphia’s world-renowned sports rehabilitation guru, Bill Knowles.

For Mitchell it’s beginning to look like a career-defining decision.

I watched the documentary this week on Mitchell’s journey to the United States and the training methods Knowles uses on the Bunnies champion, and it’s astounding.

Knowles doesn’t just rehab Mitchell’s hamstring, he redesigns his movement, starting with changing the way he walks, his ankle flexion, his body position, his hip movement.

He uses a hula hoop to strengthen Mitchell’s core and then moves into more sophisticated exercises. He makes Mitchell conscious of how his body works and how to best use it.

But day by day you not only see the transformation in how Mitchell moves, you see his mindset transform.

Latrell Mitchell bursts through Matt Burton’s attempted tackle in Round 18. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
On Day one Mitchell turns up in a light, jovial mood, laughing, enjoying all the new surrounds.

Knowles himself is initially relaxed, easy going, welcoming.

As the intensity of each session increases, Knowles becomes tougher, he’s more blunt in explaining what he wants, he corrects Mitchell in a far more direct manner, he compliments less.

And Mitchell responds.

Latrell Mitchell in the US working with reconditioning coach Bill Knowles. Picture: Sunny Brar/South Sydney Rabbitohs
The more Knowles challenges, the more Mitchell focuses.

It’s clear Knowles isn’t just reconditioning the body, he’s reconditioning the mind.

Then the moment comes. It’s a comment which shows the penny has dropped. Through having a greater understanding of his body, Mitchell has a greater understanding of his game.

“I used to think, yep I’m powerful, sweet. Now I’m thinking I’ve got to slow down a bit and actually think about what I’m doing….”

LATRELL MITCHELL’S STATS SINCE PHILADELPHIA​

Games: 3
Runs: 33
Run Metres: 328
Tries: 1
Try Assists: 6
Tackle Busts: 19
Linebreaks: 2
Linbreak Assists: 8
*Fox Sports Stats


On his return to the playing field you’ve seen him put that straight into practise.

When the Bunnies sent Mitchell to Knowles they’d hoped he’d return and be able to get back to his best. He’s better … and it’s only three games into his return.

In his first game back against the Knights, Mitchell’s pulse rarely got over 60 beats per minute, he was so relaxed.

That comment, “Now I’m thinking I’ve got to slow down a bit and actually think about what I’m doing.”

You see this is it, when we hear, “slow down,” we think physically, take the foot off the gas.

Mitchell’s moving faster and better than ever, he’s slowed down his thinking.

Last week Mitchell was catching those towering Matt Burton bombs like his arms were a velvet basket. When he ball plays, his touch on the ball is even more silky, his pass selection perfect as a result of giving himself more time.

But then he can flick the switch, as we saw with his powerful surges over the top of Burton.

The manner in which he took the challenge to Burton indicated that Mitchell probably believed, even if he had made himself available for Origin III, they would’ve gone with Burton.

Mitchell’s crucial try in the 60th minute of that game showed all the weapons in his arsenal. After bumping off several defenders, he glided over the ground until Josh Addo-Carr stood between him and the try line.

Mitchell’s fend into Addo-Carr’s chest looked like a gentle push, only Addo-Carr being sent hurtling backwards made you realise the power of the push.

Rugby league has many examples of individuals, seemingly putting their team on their shoulders and carrying them to, or close to, a title.

Ellery Hanley with the Balmain Tigers in 1988. Terry Lamb with the Bulldogs in 1995. Jarryd Hayne with the Eels in 2009. Tom Trbojevic last season with Manly.

A month ago there were serious doubts whether Souths were going to play finals football, but Mitchell has completely changed that.


On return, Mitchell is already doing that.

 

[andyrabbit]

Great article and the club sending him to Knowles was brilliant. If he stays fit, injury free, and doesn't fall foul of the judiciary, anything is possible.

 

[yobbo84]

We're 5 and 2 with him in the side - those 2 losses being a GP loss to the Storm and loss to the Panthers in Penrith (which was actually closer than it seemed, the 8 point try swung the match and Ilias got ripped out of a try).

As long as he stays fit and focused we can win any match - he's that good.

 

[Gazman]

Well I’ve learned a new word from another of the endless recent articles on Latrell.
I’d never even read or heard this word before……

Insouciance, meaning:

casual lack of concern; indifference.

“an impression of boyish insouciance”

Describes Latrell perfectly.

 

[Prowsey]

Bunny bargain: Souths’ bill for Latrell’s US trip revealed

The cut-price amount South Sydney spent to send Latrell Mitchell to the US for treatment on his hamstring injury can be revealed - and it might be the bargain of the year.

www.smh.com.au

BUNNY BARGAIN: SOUTHS’ BILL FOR LATRELL’S US TRIP REVEALED

South Sydney paid only $12,000 to send star fullback Latrell Mitchell to the United States for 15 nights and the chance to work with worldrenowned reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.

Sources with knowledge of the finances behind Mitchell’s overseas trip told the Herald the initial figure put forward to the NRL was around $57,000, some way short of the reported $70,000 bill. But one of the club’s major sponsors , Ingenia Holiday Parks, agreed to tip in around $45,000 to help with costs and bankroll a film of Mitchell’s recovery from a hamstring injury once they saw some of the video footage from America.

The two-part fly-on-the-wall documentary, titled Pushing Boundaries, this week notched up one million views across social media platforms. Previously, the most-watched content Souths had produced was a photo story from Sam Burgess’ wedding. Mitchell flew business class to the US, which cost around $21,000, while rehabilitation physio Luke Annesley and the club’s videographer , Sunny Brar, also required flights and accommodation.

The only time Mitchell was recognised was in a New York Nike store by a young fan who had moved from Sydney. All the costs were cleared by the NRL and were classified as medical expenses, which meant they did not have to be added to the football department cap.

Given the way Mitchell has looked physically and mentally since returning to the field , Souths fans would be more than happy with the return on the club’s investment. The gun fullback is a big reason plenty of pundits are tipping Souths to continue their winning ways against Melbourne tonight. The individual dominance in recent weeks has even evoked memories of Jarryd Hayne’s giantkilling run in 2009, which led Parramatta all the way to the grand final .

Souths coach Jason Demetriou smiled and said, ‘‘ ask me in another three weeks’ ’ when the Herald mentioned the Hayne comparison yesterday. ‘‘ Latrell is in a great place, but we’ll know more at the back end of the year,’’ Demetriou said. ‘‘ It wasn’t just about getting back and playing footy, it was about staying healthy this year and the years beyond. ‘‘ I still think there’s more in him. He’ll get better each week, and over the next month we’ll see the best of him.

He’s a presence. He’s the kind of guy who says, ‘Come with me’ , and people follow him. Having guys like Damien Cook and Cam [Murray] back this week will be a massive help because they do that as well.’’ Demetriou never doubted the benefits of sending Mitchell abroad in the middle of the season after head of high performance Travis Touma first floated the idea.

The coach is yet to speak with Knowles but was glad to ‘‘ watch the videos’’ . Mitchell bombed a 40m twopoint field goal against the Storm back in round two in what was his comeback game from a six-match suspension for his hit on the Roosters’ Joey Manu. Souths scored three tries in ten minutes late in the game, but Mitchell missed all three conversions .

He was the last on the training field at Redfern yesterday practising his kicking as a handful of spectators, including Burgess and club legend Bob Mc-Carthy , watched on. Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen , who kicked the winning field-goal in golden point against the Rabbitohs, will miss tonight’s game at Accor Stadium – and the rest of the year – after fracturing his kneecap in multiple places last weekend. Demetriou urged his troops to do ‘‘ whatever it takes’ ’ to end Melbourne’s dominance over his side.

The Rabbitohs’ drought against the Storm dates back seven games to 2018, and they have only managed two victories against Melbourne in the last decade. Demetriou was blunt when asked what his team needed to do to trump the visitors. ‘‘ Whatever it takes," the coach said. ‘‘ I’m over it, to be honest, I’m over giving them two points every time we play them. We’ve got to go out and do whatever it takes.’’

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Mitchell had made a ‘‘ massive difference’ ’ to Souths since his return and they would do their best to contain him. ‘‘ His athletic ability and skill as well, it’s quite unique,’’ Bellamy said of the 25-year-old . ‘‘ He’s obviously a dangerous player, and there’s a couple of things we’ll need to do well to try and slow down his effectiveness. You know at some stage he’s going to be really hard to handle and hopefully that doesn’t happen too often.’’

Souths are closing in on a three year extension for Mitchell, while Sam Burgess is tipped to pass on the chance to work under Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins and resume coaching at Souths. Burgess has been coaching Orara Valley Axemen on the NSW mid north coast, and will coach this weekend against Macksville, who will be without Greg Inglis.

 

[Callmack1]

BUNNY BARGAIN: SOUTHS’ BILL FOR LATRELL’S US TRIP REVEALED

South Sydney paid only $12,000 to send star fullback Latrell Mitchell to the United States for 15 nights and the chance to work with worldrenowned reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.

Sources with knowledge of the finances behind Mitchell’s overseas trip told the Herald the initial figure put forward to the NRL was around $57,000, some way short of the reported $70,000 bill. But one of the club’s major sponsors , Ingenia Holiday Parks, agreed to tip in around $45,000 to help with costs and bankroll a film of Mitchell’s recovery from a hamstring injury once they saw some of the video footage from America.

The two-part fly-on-the-wall documentary, titled Pushing Boundaries, this week notched up one million views across social media platforms. Previously, the most-watched content Souths had produced was a photo story from Sam Burgess’ wedding. Mitchell flew business class to the US, which cost around $21,000, while rehabilitation physio Luke Annesley and the club’s videographer , Sunny Brar, also required flights and accommodation.

The only time Mitchell was recognised was in a New York Nike store by a young fan who had moved from Sydney. All the costs were cleared by the NRL and were classified as medical expenses, which meant they did not have to be added to the football department cap.

Given the way Mitchell has looked physically and mentally since returning to the field , Souths fans would be more than happy with the return on the club’s investment. The gun fullback is a big reason plenty of pundits are tipping Souths to continue their winning ways against Melbourne tonight. The individual dominance in recent weeks has even evoked memories of Jarryd Hayne’s giantkilling run in 2009, which led Parramatta all the way to the grand final .

Souths coach Jason Demetriou smiled and said, ‘‘ ask me in another three weeks’ ’ when the Herald mentioned the Hayne comparison yesterday. ‘‘ Latrell is in a great place, but we’ll know more at the back end of the year,’’ Demetriou said. ‘‘ It wasn’t just about getting back and playing footy, it was about staying healthy this year and the years beyond. ‘‘ I still think there’s more in him. He’ll get better each week, and over the next month we’ll see the best of him.

He’s a presence. He’s the kind of guy who says, ‘Come with me’ , and people follow him. Having guys like Damien Cook and Cam [Murray] back this week will be a massive help because they do that as well.’’ Demetriou never doubted the benefits of sending Mitchell abroad in the middle of the season after head of high performance Travis Touma first floated the idea.

The coach is yet to speak with Knowles but was glad to ‘‘ watch the videos’’ . Mitchell bombed a 40m twopoint field goal against the Storm back in round two in what was his comeback game from a six-match suspension for his hit on the Roosters’ Joey Manu. Souths scored three tries in ten minutes late in the game, but Mitchell missed all three conversions .

He was the last on the training field at Redfern yesterday practising his kicking as a handful of spectators, including Burgess and club legend Bob Mc-Carthy , watched on. Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen , who kicked the winning field-goal in golden point against the Rabbitohs, will miss tonight’s game at Accor Stadium – and the rest of the year – after fracturing his kneecap in multiple places last weekend. Demetriou urged his troops to do ‘‘ whatever it takes’ ’ to end Melbourne’s dominance over his side.

The Rabbitohs’ drought against the Storm dates back seven games to 2018, and they have only managed two victories against Melbourne in the last decade. Demetriou was blunt when asked what his team needed to do to trump the visitors. ‘‘ Whatever it takes," the coach said. ‘‘ I’m over it, to be honest, I’m over giving them two points every time we play them. We’ve got to go out and do whatever it takes.’’

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Mitchell had made a ‘‘ massive difference’ ’ to Souths since his return and they would do their best to contain him. ‘‘ His athletic ability and skill as well, it’s quite unique,’’ Bellamy said of the 25-year-old . ‘‘ He’s obviously a dangerous player, and there’s a couple of things we’ll need to do well to try and slow down his effectiveness. You know at some stage he’s going to be really hard to handle and hopefully that doesn’t happen too often.’’

Souths are closing in on a three year extension for Mitchell, while Sam Burgess is tipped to pass on the chance to work under Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins and resume coaching at Souths. Burgess has been coaching Orara Valley Axemen on the NSW mid north coast, and will coach this weekend against Macksville, who will be without Greg Inglis.

God, this just makes it even better!!