Scott Sattler has made a shock call, saying South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell should move from fullback to five-eighth to save the Rabbitohs’ season.
The Rabbitohs fullback has been under significant pressure this season following South Sydney’s 0-3 start, copping significant criticism for struggling to inject himself enough into games.
Panthers legend Sattler has implored Jason Demetriou to shift Mitchell from fullback.
“Latrell’s not a fullback… I don’t think his body physique is built for a fullback. When you look at the fullbacks that we’ve got in our game today, they’re lean, they’re the fittest players in the team, they’re on the ball the whole time,” Sattler said on SEN 1170’s NRL Crunch Time.
“If they’re not happy with their halfbacks at the moment with (Dean) Hawkins and (Lachlan) Ilias, put Cody (Walker) at 7, put Latrell at 6… (and) young Jye Gray at fullback who would fit that… same physique-wise and speed-wise of a Reece Walsh.”
Jye Gray is a highly touted prospect for the Rabbitohs and has been earmarked as a star of the future.
Gray made his reserve grade debut in Round 1 this year, scoring two tries since, and averaging 216m from fullback. However, the youngster only recently turned 20, being born in 2004, and would be the shortest player in the NRL when he makes his debut.
Sattler suggests another option is to return Mitchell to the centres where he won a Dally M award in 2019.
“When you looked at Latrell when he was playing fullback at the Roosters early on in his career, he was tall, he was lean, but his body image is more suited to a centre position,” Sattler said.
“The performances of South Sydney at the moment are probably reflecting the way Latrell’s playing where he’s not really on the ball and he’s not heavily involved in the game.”
Mitchell, over his career at centre, averaged 89.4m per game and four tackle breaks.
The Rabbitohs next take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their annual Good Friday clash at Accor Stadium.