Fan Outrage Over Latrell Mitchell’s Unpunished Incident
Fans of the National Rugby League (NRL) have been left furious after a controversial incident involving Souths’ Latrell Mitchell during the Good Friday match against the Bulldogs. The game, which saw the Rabbitohs secure a 32-24 victory, was overshadowed by several injury concerns and an incident that has sparked heated debate among supporters.
A Thrilling Comeback for the Rabbitohs
The match began with a strong performance from Alex Johnston, who extended his all-time try-scoring record by intercepting a pass from Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey and racing 90 metres to open the scoring. The Bulldogs responded with a try from Marcelo Montoya, and Latrell Mitchell added another for Souths after capitalizing on a grubber kick from Cody Walker.
However, the Bulldogs managed to take a 18-12 lead at halftime with two quick tries from Lachie Galvin and Sitili Tupouniua. This set the stage for a dramatic second half.
Bulldogs’ Tactical Shift and Decline
The Bulldogs’ fortunes took a turn when their skipper, Stephen Crichton, suffered a shoulder injury and had to leave the field. Coach Cameron Ciraldo made a tactical change, bringing on Sean O’Sullivan as a halfback and shifting Matt Burton to centre. Despite these adjustments, the Bulldogs struggled without their captain, and the Rabbitohs capitalized on the opportunity.
Souths’ skipper, Cameron Murray, scored a crucial try, followed by Tallis Duncan, who put the Bunnies in the lead. Latrell Mitchell sealed the win with a spectacular try, showcasing his skill and composure.
Controversial Incident Sparks Outrage
Despite the Rabbitohs’ victory, the game was marred by a controversial moment involving Latrell Mitchell. In the final seven minutes, Mitchell delivered an unnecessary hit on Connor Tracey while the Rabbitohs were leading 32-18. The incident occurred after Mitchell attempted to kick a grubber for himself, and Tracey was happy to shepherd the ball over the dead-ball line. However, in a desperate attempt to reach the ball, Mitchell collided with Tracey from behind.
This led to heated exchanges between Mitchell and teammate Matt Burton. To the surprise of many, Mitchell was not penalized for the hit, and the Bulldogs were awarded a 20-metre set restart.
Injury Concerns for Both Teams
The match also saw several injury concerns for both teams. Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton is suspected of suffering a high-grade AC injury, which could keep him out of action for an extended period. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed concern, stating, “It’s not looking great in there. They (the medical team) are saying a high grade two, grade three possibly AC – that’s the initial thoughts on it so he’ll be out for a while.”
Crichton will undergo scans to determine the full extent of his injury. Meanwhile, Souths faced their own challenges with prop Keaon Koloamatangi suffering a medial ligament injury. Coach Wayne Bennett praised Koloamatangi’s determination to play through the pain and said he is expected to be fit for the next game against Canberra.
Bunnies’ fullback Jye Gray also left the field after taking a brutal hit in the final 10 minutes. Although he was ruled out of the remainder of the contest, Bennett confirmed that Gray passed his HIA test and will be ready for the upcoming match.
