Latrell’s late-season surge keeps Bunnies on the hop

And what about the two tries and two try assists against the Warriors last week, including the lightning no-look rifle-like pass for debutant Izaac Thompson to score?

Mitchell has been the circuit-breaker for Souths since he returned from injury six weeks ago. The Rabbitohs have won five straight, but it should have been six had Mitchell’s left boot been more accurate in the golden-point thriller against Cronulla.

The South Sydney fullback is still a few weeks away from reaching peak fitness.Credit:Getty Images

The Herald asked Souths coach Jason Demetriou last month if he was ready to buy into the Mitchell and Hayne comparisons, only to smile and say: “Ask me in a few weeks.”

So we did this week, and Demetriou said: “We’ll know in the next four weeks. There are some really big games for us, some exciting challenges, and Friday against Parramatta is the start of that.

“You know Latrell has points in him. If we get a lot of other things right, most importantly defensively, which he has a role in as well, he will create or score two to three tries a game. While he does that, we’ll be hard to beat.

“I was in England playing with Wakefield in 2009. I watched the NRL every week. If was an incredible run by Jarryd. He played great footy, but at the end of the day they [Parramatta] didn’t get the job done. It has to be about more than one person.

Latrell Mitchell last month terrorising Parramatta first-up after an injury lay-off.Credit:Getty Images

“What Latrell has is that finesse, that touch, which can open any team up, whether it’s through his running or passing – he has a unique skill set that not many people have. It’s what separates him from others.

“We love having Latrell here. We know what he brings to us. There’s no better example of that the last five or six weeks. And he’s got more in him, which is exciting.”

Mitchell has the physical strength and speed, and puts genuine fear into opposition sides.

Parramatta’s own No.1, Clint Gutherson, is not as physically imposing as Mitchell, but much busier across the 80 minutes. Both fullbacks are crucial to their respective side’s chances on Friday night.

Jarryd Hayne collects the first of his two Dally M Medals in 2009.Credit:Getty Images

“Latrell is a different beast, and when he wants to come into the game, he stamps his authority,” Gutherson told the Herald. “He’s such an important figure to them, and when he’s firing, the rest of them are firing.

“Ever since he debuted at the Roosters, you could see he had it in him. He’s had a few ups and downs, but he always seems comes back stronger.”

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Gutherson may not have the same superstar profile as Mitchell, but the ‘King’ sold himself short when he said: “I’ve always said I’m not the most skillful player, I just go out and put myself in positions where things can happen and try to be consistent.”

Gutherson even described himself as “boring”, someone who loved his young family, his core group of friends from primary school, playing golf – he is off a handicap of 10 – and walking his two kelpies around Long Reef.

The importance of Gutherson and Mitchell is not lost on their teammates.

When asked about his thoughts on the ‘King’, Eels’ five-eighth Dylan Brown quipped: “King? Who me?”

“‘Gutho’ is so consistent every single game, that’s why he is the ‘King’,” Brown said. “He saves so many tries, does all the effort areas, just like he did against Manly last weekend.”

Souths Sydney No. 7 Lachlan Ilias made the Mitchell and Hayne link: “I remember Jarryd in 2009. I was nine years of age. I still remember it. He was unreal. The impact he had on his team, it’s similar to Latrell and his impact on our team. If anything, our team is more balanced with strike over the field with ‘AJ’ [Alex Johnston], Cam Murray, Damien Cook, Cody [Walker].”

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