South Sydney's Premiership Hopes Hing on Latrell Mitchell's Positioning, NRL Legend Says
The NRL world is buzzing with speculation about South Sydney's chances of winning the premiership this season, and NRL Hall of Famer Cooper Cronk has a bold take on what it will take for the Rabbitohs to lift the trophy. But here's where it gets controversial... Cronk believes that if Souths are to succeed, they need to rethink Latrell Mitchell's role on the field. Despite Mitchell's proven prowess as an attacking player, Cronk argues that playing him in the centres might not be the best strategy.
And this is the part most people miss... While Mitchell has spent most of his career at fullback, he's slated to start 2026 at left centre. However, Cronk, who played alongside Mitchell at the Roosters, thinks the Bunnies would be better off utilizing Mitchell's skills in attacking sets at five-eighth or fullback. According to Cronk, playing Mitchell in the centres limits his impact, as he'll only touch the ball around ten times per game, with only four of those touches being meaningful.
Here's the kicker... Cronk suggests that if Souths win the premiership under Wayne Bennett, it won't be with Mitchell in the centres. Instead, he predicts Mitchell will either be at fullback or five-eighth during attacking plays, despite potentially defending in the centres. This raises questions about the Rabbitohs' strategy and whether they're making the most of Mitchell's talents.
Now, let's shift gears to the Broncos... Jonah Pezet, a young playmaker, has signed a unique deal that will see him play for the Eels in 2026 before joining the Broncos long-term. However, Pezet has been warned about the challenges ahead, particularly in filling the shoes of retiring Broncos captain Adam Reynolds. But here's the real question... Can Pezet live up to the hype and lead the Broncos to success, or will he struggle under the pressure of replacing a modern-day great?
And finally, a word on Billy Walters... The Broncos utility is eyeing a return to the field before round 20, but with the NRL's new interchange bench rules, his role on the team is far from certain. Here's the million-dollar question... Will Walters still have a spot on the team when he returns, or will the expanded bench leave him on the sidelines? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – the NRL landscape is shifting, and it's going to be a wild ride.
What do you think? Is Cronk right about Mitchell's positioning, or is there more to the story? And can Pezet and Walters rise to the challenges ahead, or will they be left behind in the ever-changing world of NRL? Let us know in the comments!
