Latrell Mitchell is the gift that keeps on giving.
Just hours after lighting up the MCG in front of more than 90,000 raucous fans in his State of Origin return, Mitchell returned to his roots to help surprise a group of fans.
Mitchell was dominant in the Blues’ massive 38-18 victory over Queensland, setting up a decider next month with one of the best halves of football in Origin history.
READ MORE: ‘Way too easy’: Maroons gun ripped for horror show
READ MORE: X-factor call ‘bullied’ Maroons must make to save series
READ MORE: Ashes villain embarrassed in crazy record over
The 27-year-old was part of a NSW team that scored 34 unanswered points before the half-time break, ending a three-year hiatus from the sport’s toughest arena.
But in a true reflection of his character, Mitchell dashed home to Taree on Thursday morning, helping out a clinic in his hometown with dozens of young NRL fanatics.
“I love coming back,” he told 9News Sydney.
“It’s good to get away, get a break and come to this … it just fills my cup up again. The kids are loving it and they’re all talking about it.
“It’s a rollercoaster this game – when you’re up, you want to try and stay up. I don’t want to give away too much and I’m very honoured to wear this jersey.
“I bleed blue and that will never change.”
Mitchell spends plenty of his downtime back in Taree and with the Rabbitohs earning a round 17 bye, it was the perfect time for the superstar to take the foot off the gas.
Watch the 2024 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
NSW coach Michael Maguire paid credit to Mitchell for the work he does off the field.
“There’s a lot of good things that he does,” Maguire said.
“You don’t see it, everyone gets scrutinised in a certain way, but little things like that are going on in our game all the time and he’s a big part of that.”
After crossing for a try and stunning the Maroons in the 38-18 triumph, Mitchell will likely feature again in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.