LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The rugby league world has been left in disbelief as news emerged that Latrell Mitchell may be switched from fullback to centre at South Sydney in 2024.
Veteran reporter Paul Crawley expressed his strong opposition to the idea, labeling it as "absolute madness" during a discussion on NRL 360.
Mitchell, who currently plays in the centre position for both NSW and Australia, previously won two premierships with the Roosters in the same role.
However, concerns have been raised about his ability to handle the additional responsibilities that come with being a top fullback.
One of the main concerns is Mitchell's injury record, as he has only been able to average 16 games per season since joining the Rabbitohs, compared to his average of 25 games per season at the Roosters.
Some believe that the added workload of playing as a fullback may be contributing to his injury woes.
Furthermore, the signing of Jack Wighton from Canberra for next season has added to the speculation.
Despite Wighton being under the impression that he would play in the centres at South Sydney, there has been talk of him potentially taking on the fullback role instead.
The NRL 360 panel unanimously expressed their opposition to the potential switch, with Crawley stating that it would make no sense from a recruitment standpoint.
He highlighted the fact that the Rabbitohs had specifically acquired Wighton to play centre, and moving him to fullback would contradict that intention.
Additionally, Crawley pointed out that Wighton is 31 years old, further questioning the logic behind the proposed move.
Overall, the idea of moving Latrell Mitchell from fullback to centre at South Sydney has been widely criticized, with many describing it as a poor decision given Mitchell's previous success in the centre position and the recruitment of Jack Wighton.
The drama surrounding the Rabbitohs' historic capitulation in 2023 continues to cast a shadow over the club's decision-making process.