Latrell Mitchell was cleared to play for South Sydney on Friday night after recovering from a back injury, giving the Rabbitohs a major boost ahead of their Magic Round meeting with the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. He is set to play in Round 11, but he will not take the conversions.
Wayne Bennett said Mitchell had done everything required to return and wanted the chance to get back on the field. “Latrell is fit to play. He has met all the protocols, feels good and wants to play,” Bennett said. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape and Ashton Ward are the likely goal-kicking options if South Sydney need a replacement at 8.00pm AEST.
The Mitchell call matters because South Sydney have been managing their selection around fitness and kicking duties all week, and Magic Round has already forced changes on the other side as well. The Dolphins lost starting front rower Francis Molo to a minor ankle injury, with Felise Kaufusi moving into the team and Molo expected to miss one week as a precaution.
There was also movement elsewhere in the competition. Canberra said Simi Sasagi will miss four to six weeks after the shoulder injury he suffered against the Panthers in Round 10, though the club said he has no structural damage and does not need surgery. The Raiders were on the bye in Round 11, giving them time to absorb the blow without the pressure of a quick turnaround.
For South Sydney, the immediate question is not whether Mitchell can play, but how much of the load he can carry after a back injury and whether the Rabbitohs can cover his goal-kicking absence cleanly in a match that could turn on small margins.
