Latrell Mitchell has declared his availability for the NSW Blues after breaking his three-month silence.
Mitchell was pictured in conversation with Blues coach Michael Maguire at South Sydney’s 2014 premiership reunion with the superstar posting the photo to his Instagram story captioning it “we on?”
The Rabbitohs fullback wasn’t selected for game one but is likely to come in for game two after Joseph Suaalii’s suspension.
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Mitchell spoke exclusively to 9News Sydney and The Sydney Morning Herald, stating “I’m keen” in reference to Origin.
“If Madge [Maguire] wants me, I’m in,” he said.
“I’m ready to go to Melbourne and give it to some Queenslanders. There was a lot of doubt with NSW because I’ve never been looked after.
“I’ve been the scapegoat. I don’t want to go into this camp being the scapegoat if they lose.
“I want to go into a camp and feel comfortable in my own skin and create some bonds and get ready to play for people I want to play for. Not go in and be the scapegoat for the media to go, ‘Latrell this, this and this’.”
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After an inconsistent start to the season, Mitchell has lit up the competition in recent weeks and starred during his side’s win over the Broncos on Friday night.
Before the series opener, reports had suggested Mitchell was considering withdrawing from consideration for game one as Souths languished at the bottom of the ladder.
The 27-year-old admits he didn’t know what he wanted at the time.
“I wasn’t in the right head space before game one,” he told The Herald.
“At the same time, I was probably a bit filthy I didn’t get picked, to be honest. I was playing god there for a little bit. I didn’t know what I wanted. I played with fire a little bit. The doubt was there. I was scared about being thrown under the bus again but now I know where I stand as a player. I’m ready to go if I get picked. I won’t let the state down.”
Mitchell added he believes Maguire will protect him if things don’t go the way he wants in game two.
The superstar has had an up and down relationship with the NSWRL since being dropped in 2019 by coach Brad Fittler.
Mitchell claims he wasn’t told about the decision.
“I was told I was going to play the next game, then told I wasn’t playing [through] the media,” he said.
“I didn’t know why. I didn’t know anything. I felt like I played all right. I missed a couple of tackles but who knows. I don’t want to dwell on it now. Hopefully, game two, I’m there.
“I want to play for my state. I know what people want. We want to win. We have passion. The Queenslanders say we don’t but we do, if not more than them.
“I want to give back. I want to give back to the state and show them that I’m ready and raring to go.”