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Latrell Mitchell’s first game at the new Allianz Stadium started and ended with a chorus of boos from Roosters supporters.
It led to some pretty strong comments from the Rabbitohs superstar about the negative impact heckling can have on players that put him in the headlines all week leading up to last Sunday’s elimination final at the same venue.
Mitchell was greeted by the same jeers from Roosters fans when the game started, but by full-time all he could hear was cheering from South Sydney supporters after he and Cody Walker guided the Bunnies to a famous win in the most violent finals match in years.
Mitchell was outstanding. He came up with a huge try when his side was down to 11 men, he nailed a clutch conversion from out wide and was able to move freely and confidently after a mid-season trip to the US to get his body right.
The emotional toll of everything that happened during the season and then the relief of eliminating the team he won two premierships with got the better of Mitchell, who appeared to hold back tears when speaking with Brad Fittler after the game.
“I was trying to talk and it just choked me up a little bit,” Mitchell said.
“A lot of gratitude came to me and a wave of emotion.
“It’s been a long time coming. I really worked hard on myself mentally and physically.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for ‘Trell Mit’, but I’ve really enjoyed the sacrifices I’ve had to make.
“Leaving the country to do what I had to do, I took a lot out of it.
“I took a lot of confidence and I suppose the arrogance that everyone reckons (I have). I really enjoyed the American culture and the way that their athletes talk. I think I took a bit out of that.”
The support he received from the South Sydney faithful was in contrast to the trolling he’s copped on and off the field for much of the season.
“It definitely outweighs the negativity,” he said with a big smile on his face.
“It was awesome to see. When we first walked out to warm up, there was green and red. That’s what I like to see.”
While he saw plenty of red in the stands, Mitchell avoided the red mist that got the better of some players during the game, which descended into farcical brutality rather than a rugby league match at times.
He was involved in a couple of minor scuffles but avoided any of the drama that led to a record seven sin bins.
It speaks to his maturity and how far he’s come as a leader.
“There was a point in time during the game where there was a bit of baiting going on, and the crowd was baiting as well,” he said.
“I think we knew it was coming. It was a joy to see. It’s pretty good to be amongst it because that’s what the game is all about.
“There was a bit of a scuffle here and there, but I think a lot of people took a lot of joy out of it.
“I just knew my job and what I wanted to do. I was pretty clear with what I wanted to achieve and I’m pretty sure we got that done.
“Me and Cody just stepped up and did what we do. We were able to overcome the situation and get back to our process. We were down to 11, but we still got the job done.”
The problem for South Sydney this week will be whether they can be up for the fight again after having to come down from such an emotional high.
But Mitchell says that won’t be an issue.
“Every time I play the game, I try to focus and prepare as well as I can to be the best version of myself,” he said.
“I think this year has been a testament to it and it really showed what it took to do it off the field. I rip in every day and even on my days off that no one sees, I try to put my best foot forward and get myself mentally prepared.”
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