Latrell to learn from legend ahead of All Stars
HE IS the “little freak” helping turn Latrell Mitchell into the NRL’s top fullback.
Indigenous coach Laurie Daley has revealed NRL legend Matt Bowen will be in All Stars camp this week to shadow, train and educate aspiring fullback Mitchell.
Mitchell will play fullback – his newly preferred position – for the Indigenous side against Maori All Stars on the Gold Coast this Saturday night.
The Indigenous side enters camp in Queensland today.
Bowen, the former North Queensland champion and Indigenous assistant coach along with Justin Hodges and Dean Young, has been handed a primary role – mentor Mitchell.
“Matt is one of the greats and is very well respected. He will follow Latrell around and give him tips on playing fullback,” Daley said.
“Matty will point out the defensive stuff, where Latrell should be and what he should be looking at. Matty will also help Latrell with his attack.
“Matty is an experienced fullback … so I’m sure Latrell will get a lot out of him.”
Mitchell has already been tutored on fullback play at Souths by the legendary Greg Inglis.
The focus will be on Mitchell during the Indigenous match to determine how the former Roosters champion adapts to his new role.
“At fullback, Latrell can’t have a rest, he has to focus every minute of the game, every tackle. That will be something he hasn’t got used to,” Daley said.
“At fullback … you’re in charge of the defensive system so you have to be talking the whole way through every set of six. You don’t get time to rest.”
Mitchell has told teammates he is just happy to be back playing again after an off-season of contract talks and headlines.