Latrell Mitchell's return from injury, marking his first appearance in 15 weeks, has provided a significant lift for South Sydney as they approach the finals, with hopes of giving coach Wayne Bennett a welcome first.
Bennett has yet to coach Mitchell in a finals series with the Rabbitohs, making the strike player's 30 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 42-22 victory over Gold Coast well-timed just two weeks before the playoffs.
Mitchell made a strong comeback from calf and back injuries sustained since Magic Round, assisting Tallis Duncan with a try in the second half.
Although Mitchell was reported for a high tackle on Titans fullback Keano Kini, it didn't appear serious. His next match is against his former team, the Sydney Roosters, on Friday night, just one week before the sixth-placed Rabbitohs kick off their finals campaign.
"He hadn't played for four months and I expected what I got there today," Bennett remarked about Mitchell after the game. "He's only going to get better for us. It is not a playoff game. It is a club game so hopefully we can keep nursing him along and keep him going through the playoffs with us."
Bennett emphasized the potential boost in the finals if Mitchell performs well, noting the existing strength of the team.
Mitchell previously won his second premiership with the Sydney Roosters in 2019 before joining Bennett at the Rabbitohs in 2020 and 2021. During that time, he missed the entire 2020 finals due to injury and the 2021 finals, including the grand final, due to suspension.
After Bennett transitioned to the Dolphins, the Rabbitohs missed the finals last season, as Mitchell faced another injury-affected year that restricted him to just 11 games.
Cody Walker, Souths' five-eighth, expressed the timely importance of Mitchell's return ahead of the finals.
"It's huge to have players of Latrell's calibre back in the team after being out for so long," Walker shared with AAP. "I hope he can build on that performance and keep building into the first finals series in (four) years."
Walker praised Mitchell's ability to handle the ball, stating, "He is a big man, a strong runner of the footy and has super hands not many players in the game have."
Lock Cameron Murray highlighted Mitchell's dedication while recovering for the finals.
"It was just good to see him back out there and see all his hard work pay off," Murray said. "The effort that we have all been putting in every week has been motivation for him to get back as soon as he can."