Latrell Mitchell doesnt have to change he just needs to chill

September 2, 2021 â€" 5.00am

Let’s make this clear from the start: Latrell Mitchell’s tackle that left Joseph Manu with a fractured cheekbone was not a deliberate act.

The Souths fullback went in with force to do some damage on the Roosters centre â€" but in a legal way.

There was no deliberate action to hit Manu in the head. It was just a tackle that went horribly wrong.

It happened that quickly that the touch judge didn’t see if from two metres away.

That’s the problem with contact when you play the game at the breakneck speed we have today: the margin for error is tiny.

So, what’s the solution?

Roosters centre Joseph Manu confronts South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell after the hit that broke his cheekbone.Credit:Getty

Mitchell doesn’t have to change his game at all. There’s only one part that needs some altering and that’s to change his approach when he’s highly emotional.

We’ve seen before and after matches when he’s been emotional. He needs to recognise when he’s in that highly emotional state and tone it back.

In those times, he can’t play on the edge. He needs to learn how to control it.

There are all sorts of techniques he can use.

Mick Fanning, the world champion surfer, taught me a good one that he uses in high-pressure situations: rub your hands together for a few seconds to get you back into the present.

If he changes his style, he won’t be the same player. He’s a power athlete, he’s explosive, and he’s like that with or without the ball.

The NRL should never play a Roosters-Souths game late in the year ever again. Put them on early in the season. It’s always explosive.

When we show clips to promote this rivalry, we show footage from the old days when they are ripping into each other.

If they were allowed to have a fight early in the match does this game simmer for the best part of 80 minutes as it did the other night? I can’t imagine what will happen next time they play.

I knew these clubs didn’t like each other but didn’t get a real appreciation of the rivalry until I moved to the eastern suburbs.

It’s as tribal as rugby league gets. There’s an imaginary line at Coogee.

How good’s the hate? There’s not enough of it in the game.

Premiership race

One week out from the finals, I can’t split the Storm and Panthers. On form and fitness, they are once again the two teams to beat.

I had huge question marks over Penrith and their halfback, Nathan Cleary, and how his injured shoulder would hold up. But he’s surprised me with how quickly he’s got back in the groove.

Nathan Cleary is back to near his best despite his mid-season shoulder injury.Credit:Getty

They’re healthy, they’ve got Brian To’o back sooner than expected, and they have some real X-factor with Tevita Pangai jnr.

If I had to pick a premiership winner now, I’d be picking Penrith. But a lot can happen in a month.

I’ve got Manly just behind those two sides. They’re one team who can upset Melbourne and Penrith if they’re fully fit.

For me, Souths can’t win the comp without Mitchell. They’ll compete hard in the finals, but can they win four really tough matches in a row? I say no.

After their win against the Storm, the smoky is Parramatta.

They’re resting players this week, so they’ll be fresh for the first week of the finals. They can still finish fourth, but more likely will face the Knights, Sharks or Raiders in the first week.

This is the time of year when the big players stand up.

The big question is whether Eels half Mitchell Moses can go to that next level.

A player like Cameron Munster loves this time of year. The bigger the occasion, the better he plays. The more “rat’s arse” he becomes.

In other words, he doesn’t seem to care and that’s when he’s at his best.

If Munster went to a sports psychologist, by the end of the session the shrink would be the one on the lounge.

So long Cech

Billy Harrigan was the best referee we’ve seen because he had a feel for the game like no other. Matt Cecchin, who is retiring after this weekend, isn’t far behind him for the same reason.

He has a real sympathy for a team that’s trying hard to adhere to the rules but struggling. He treats the players with respect, doesn’t talk down to them and lets the game flow.

He’s a real loss.

Cooked Chooks?

Canberra must win to stay in the hunt for eighth spot while the Roosters gets some back with Angus Crichton and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the pack.

The Raiders are a tough team. Last weekend, they were down 16-0 against the Warriors, but fought back to score 28 unanswered points.

How much do the Roosters have in the tank? The pack’s still strong, but the bench looks thin because of their injury list.

The positive is the youngsters are getting invaluable experience, which puts them in good stead for next year.

For me, they almost start next season â€" if fully fit â€" as premiership favourites.

JOEY’S TIP: Raiders by 4.
FIRST TRY-SCORER: Matt Timoko.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Wighton.

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Andrew Johns is an Immortal, a Newcastle great and a commentator for Channel Nine

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