Phil Gould ripped by South Sydney CEO over comment about Latrell Mitchell

South Sydney have taken exception to Phil Gould's suggestion that Latrell Mitchell isn't a big-game player, firing back at the NRL icon. Speaking on '100% Footy' on Monday night, Gould played down the Rabbitohs' chances of winning the comp and said Mitchell is yet to perform in the biggest moments.

“Put him on the big stage in front of 50,000 in a preliminary final and he hasn’t done it yet," Gould said. "That’s where he has got to do it, he still hasn’t done that part yet and he’s got to do it.”

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But Souths CEO Blake Solly hit back on Wednesday, saying he was getting tired of hearing the Bulldogs supremo criticise other clubs. “I think Latrell’s track record speaks for itself,” Solly said.

“He has won Origin series, he has won two grand finals, he has won a World Cup. We have no doubt that he can and will perform on the big stage.

“To be honest, Phil Gould’s criticism of other clubs is becoming tiresome. We will just get on with making the rest of the season as successful as it can be.”

Mitchell played in the Roosters side that won back-to-back grand finals in 2018 and 2019. Since joining South Sydney he has helped them reach two preliminary finals (2020 and 2022) and a grand final (2021).

Discussing Gould's comments on NRL 360, Broncos legend Gorden Tallis said: “I think he’s wrong. I think he’s won a couple of grand finals, he’s played at the biggest level. The hardest level is State of Origin and I remember that year (they won - 2021) and he dominated.

“He can do it with or without the ball. There’s no doubt that Latrell is a big game player. If I talk about Latrell I think he is a big game player. I don’t think Gus would say that if the Bulldogs were playing them in a grand final.”

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Braith Anasta suggested Gould was referring to the fact that Souths have never won a grand final during Mitchell's time at the club despite always making deep runs into the finals. “He has won two comps for the Roosters, he’s won an Origin series, he’s won a World Cup with Australia. But is he saying that it’s for South Sydney? Is that what he’s referring to?” Anasta asked.

Paul Crawley pointed out the fact that Mitchell missed the 2021 grand final against Penrith due to injury. “The year South Sydney made the grand final, let’s remember Latrell was sidelined, Blake Taaffe came into the side. If Latrell plays that game, maybe he does have a grand final (for Souths).

“I agree with Gordie completely, when you think of Latrell Mitchell, you think big game player. When he played those grand finals for the Roosters he did more than his job. When he’s played for NSW in the past, he’s the difference.

“He’s played his first game back in what, 10 weeks? He’s had 16 runs, 164 metres. You wonder with someone like Gus who loves to play his mind games if it’s his way of putting the fire under Latrell and stoking the fire to get him going. You truly do because why else would he come out and say that.”

Gould's job as a commentator on Channel 9 has landed him in hot water all season long due to his dual role as the Bulldogs' general manager of football. Last week Broncos coach Kevin Walters told Gould to worry about his own club after Gus said Brisbane couldn't win the competition due to their defence.

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