Rabbitohs v Tigers: Latrell Mitchell on report as Michael Maguire bemoans use of technology

Michael Maguire has called for more intervention from the bunker during matches to alert officials to missed calls following the Tigers’ heartbreaking loss to South Sydney.

Tom Burgess crossed for a try early in the first half of golden point to hand the Rabbitohs an 18-14 win over Maguire’s side at Stadium Australia.

After the match, Maguire said he felt two second-half incidents involving Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell should have been called back.

Mitchell was earlier placed on report for a late shot on David Nofoaluma, while an incident in which he appeared to lash out with a kick towards Luke Garner may also be looked at.

“You look at moments in the game where the ball comes down there in the corner and I’m sure there was a foot that touched the white line and the technology in the game, I think Garns ended up copping a boot there at one stage, technology in the game can refer to that,” Maguire said.

“We end up down the other end and we get a penalty against us.

“Those sort of things are massive momentum changers and that hurts tonight in that result.

“With the technology we’ve got, we’ve got to be using that to be able to go ‘hang on’, those things are happening within the game.”

Maguire wouldn’t be drawn on whether Mitchell’s actions were worthy of a suspension, but rather was disappointed his side weren’t given a penalty at the time.

“I’d like that to be dealt with straight away rather than after the game,” he added.

“Who knows where the game could have gone if that changes.

“With the technologies that we have now and everything we’ve got in play, I do not understand why we don’t use it.”

Unsurprisingly, Souths coach Wayne Bennett attempted to play down the incidents, claiming there wasn’t “much there” in the Nofoaluma one and he didn’t see the Garner clash.

Mitchell was seen leaving the field immediately after full-time, Bennett relaying it was for a private matter.

“There’s an issue for Latrell there but it’s not something you need to know about, it’s not something to do with rugby league, so we get on with life,” Bennett said.

“There’s nothing that anyone has to worry about, it’s all under control, it’s his and his family’s business.

“He had a different game tonight but he was right in the middle of it all. He was very good.”

Souths face a trip to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans next Friday, while the Tigers host Manly on Sunday.