Roosters suffer a blow as Tedesco ruled out of Tigers clash
Latrell Mitchell could make a long-awaited return for South Sydney this weekend, with coach Wayne Bennett admitting: “He’s a chance. He’ll still have to get through a couple of training sessions, but he’s some chance.”
Bennett said last week Mitchell was likely to be held back for the penultimate week of the season – a round-26 clash against the Gold Coast Titans – but welcomed the prospect of having Mitchell back a week earlier, especially if his body could cope with a few opposed sessions.
Mitchell’s season looked over a few weeks ago, but he again trained away from the group on a soggy Monday morning as he overcomes a nerve issue in his lower back, which is causing problems down his leg and calf.
The 29-year-old injured his back in an outstanding individual performance against Newcastle in round nine, then missed a week before aggravating it against the Dolphins during Magic Round. He hasn’t played since.
Should Mitchell’s name be included on the team sheet on Tuesday, Bennett hinted he was unlikely to start, and would be eased into the game off the bench.
Tallis Duncan has been playing at left centre in Mitchell’s absence, but is even more effective in the back row, which he will do when Mitchell returns.
South Sydney need to win one of their remaining three games to cement a spot in the finals, and having a player such as Mitchell available would be a huge boost.
The Rabbitohs host the high-flying New Zealand Warriors on Saturday at Accor Stadium, the Sydney Olympic Park venue where they have not lost a game this season.
“I don’t know how far off he [Mitchell] is – the physios have a better understanding of that – but he was out there today doing strides … he’s a step closer again,” outside back Campbell Graham said on Monday.
“Whenever he’s ready to go, we’ll more than welcome him back. We need to keep building as a group; we want to be a well-oiled machine by the time he’s back so he can come in and do his thing.
“He’s handled this situation well. And I’ve been there before where there’s no definite light at the end of the tunnel in terms of when you’ll be playing again. It’s a tough spot to be in.
“But he’s full of energy, comes in every day smiling, and he’s great to have around the place.”
Graham played his “veteran’s card” to join the rehab group on Monday as part of “load management” to avoid any fresh calf injuries.
“I was stoked to get through the game last Friday,” he said. “I’m not out of the woods just yet, and I still have to manage my training loads.”
One area of concern for Souths is their goal kicking, with Mitchell, Latrell Siegwalt (dropped), Ashton Ward (who injured his hamstring attempting a conversion against Parramatta) and Jamie Humphreys (ankle) all sidelined. Jayden Sullivan was handed the job late on Friday in the 22-6 win over the Bulldogs when the Rabbitohs landed just one goal from five attempts.
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