LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Despite Cody Walker's injury, South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is standing by his decision to keep Latrell Mitchell at fullback instead of returning him to the halves.
Walker has been ruled out for up to five weeks with a calf tear, forcing Bennett to reshuffle the lineup once again.
This news comes after a string of poor performances by the Rabbitohs.
Jye Gray, who was dropped to the bench earlier in the week, will now step into the five-eighth position to replace Walker.
This means Mitchell will continue to play at fullback, a move that has sparked controversy as Gray has been one of the team's standout players this season.
Despite criticism, Bennett is confident in his decision to make the change and believes Mitchell is capable of leading the team from the back.
With Walker sidelined, Mitchell will take on the role of captain and fullback for the upcoming clash against the Melbourne Storm.
Bennett is hopeful that Mitchell will rise to the occasion and silence his doubters.
He confirmed Walker's injury, stating, "(Walker is) not playing.
He's hurt his calf, got a severe tear there training two days ago, three days ago, so he'll be out for four or five weeks."
While the loss of Walker is a setback for the Rabbitohs, Bennett remains steadfast in his decision to keep Mitchell at fullback.
The team will need to regroup and adjust to the new lineup in order to face the Storm.
The pressure is on Mitchell to deliver a strong performance in his new role and help guide the Rabbitohs to victory.
Despite the challenges they face, South Sydney is determined to push forward and overcome the obstacles in their path.