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Latrell Mitchell handed brutal truth as Jye Gray move leaves NRL world calling for more

The fullback played just his second NRL game due to the absence of Latrell Mitchell.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

Latrell Mitchell could be destined to make a return back to centre for the Rabbitohs after Jye Gray was shining light for the team in their ANZAC Day humiliation at the hands of the Storm. The Rabbitohs succumbed to a Cameron Munster masterclass on Thursday as the five-eighth provided four try assists and scored one himself to leave Jason Demetriou fighting for his job.

The Storm were immense with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates causing havoc as the Rabbitohs were run ragged. And while the Rabbitohs were helpless in stopping the onslaught from one of the NRL title contenders, one player that stood out for his defence and his effort was Gray.

Jye Gray makes a tackle and Latrell Mitchell reacts.
Jye Gray (pictured left) was a shine light for the Rabbitohs playing in Latrell Mitchell's (pictured right) role amid his team's humiliation to the Storm. (Images: NRL.com.au/Getty Images)yah

The 20-year-old was playing just his second NRL game and the diminutive fullback was involved in all the best plays for the Rabbitohs. He ran for 196 metres and made two tackle breaks. However, his most important stat could have been his effort in defence.

Despite not being the biggest fullback, Gray did not miss a tackle in his seven attempts. One of the biggest moments came when Gray cut down the towering Nelson Asofa-Solomona only metres out from the line. The height and weight difference is staggering, but Gray didn't hesitate to rush out and meet the prop head on.

And fans couldn't help but compare Gray's efforts, in a heavily defeated team, to Mitchell's stats in 2024. In the first five games of the season, Mitchell was strong in attack having scored two tries. However, he only passed 150 running metres in one game. In his last two games, he failed to run more than 100 metres against the Bulldogs and Warriors.

While few fans have questioned his stunning attacking efforts in 2024, it's been Mitchell's defensive lapses that has frustrated fans. Many fans feel the small defensive efforts from Mitchell have been missing for quite some time. And calls for him to move back to centre - where he won premierships with the Roosters - have been growing in momentum. And with Gray proving to be full of energy, while offering a new dimension in attack, many fans have called for the youngster to be given more of an opportunity to prove his abilities in the No.1 jersey.

Mitchell has served two of this three-match ban after he was suspended for elbowing Shaun Johnson. The Rabbitohs face a daunting task in hosting the reigning champions the Panthers in their next game. Pressure is mounting on coach Demetriou and he will also have a huge decision to make when Mitchell returns.

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What position Mitchell will be playing when he comes back from his ban remains to be seen with fans divided. Demetriou has declared the No.1 jersey is Gray's to lose after a strong showing on debut against the Sharks. His display against the Storm will only add to the growing calls for Gray to remain in the No.1 jersey. Mitchell will also have a few games to prove he can still be the Blues' attacking weapon in State of Origin. The Rabbitohs star will be looking to show Michael Maguire he can be the X-factor once again in the Origin arena ahead of the team selection.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jye Gray of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round six NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium, on April 13, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jye Gray of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round six NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium, on April 13, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)