LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Latrell Mitchell has had a proper shocker of a year - but one sight from Wednesday night should have every NRL fan grinning like a possum eating a pumpkin.
News.com.au reckon that Latrell Mitchell's relationship with rugby league was on the rocks this year, to the point where the only reason he'd crack a smile at the end of a game was because he could finally hit the showers.
Whether it was because of Souths' woeful season, the unbearable chatter on the internet, or just his own lack of form, it seemed like the Rabbitohs' fullback was about as happy on the field as NSW fans are during Origin season.
But on Wednesday night, it was clear that the sparks of passion for the game had reignited like a bonfire in the bush.
The image of Mitchell grinning from ear to ear at full-time after hearing the crowd's cheers was as uplifting as a brutal hit-up in the dying minutes of a game.
"Fair dinkum, how good's that," Latrell exclaimed upon soaking in the cheers.