Mitchell facing lengthy stint on sidelines
LATRELL Mitchell was closing in on a State of Origin return, but he may find himself falling down the pecking order after being charged with multiple offences out of his side’s thrilling win over the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Mitchell, having been axed from Origin two years ago in acrimonious circumstances, had edged ahead in the race for the left centre spot in the Blues team after a scintillating start to the year for the Rabbitohs.
However, he now faces up to a month on the sidelines after being charged with dangerous contact by the NRL match review committee over an ugly incident involving Tigers winger David Nofoaluma.
Mitchell will miss four matches if he fights the charge and loses.
He will miss three games with an early guilty plea. Either result would be a massive blow to his hopes of regaining his NSW jersey, leaving him with as little as three games to press his case before coach Brad Fittler sits down to select his side for the opening game of the series.
Mitchell endured against the Tigers.
He was involved in a series of incidents that infuriated the Tigers, but the greater concern was of a personal nature. Mitchell raced off the field at full-time to be with his father Matt, who was rushed to hospital after feeling unwell.
As well as facing a lengthy ban, Mitchell is also set to be hit in the hip pocket after being charged over two separate dangerous contact and contrary contact incidents, both involving Tigers backrower Luke Garner. a dramatic night