Braith Anasta believes a supremely fit and relaxed Latrell Mitchell can be the catalyst for Souths avenging their horror 2023 season fade-out and turning the Bunnies into contenders in 2024.
A happy and lean looking Mitchell impressed the NRL 360 panel with his physical conditioning, but more importantly his mindset heading into the season opener against Manly in Las Vegas.
“Latrell Mitchell was a breath of fresh air when we had him Live on the show and not only did he look fit and he looks in supreme shape, but just his mindset,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
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“He was laughing around having a good time and looked in a really good place, which is ominous signs for the opposition this year.
“If he continues with that attitude and trains the way that he seems to be training and looks the way that he did, Souths are going to have a big year.”
Paul Kent believes the key to Souths is keeping Mitchell and Cody Walker happy and firing and pinpointed where it all went wrong in 2023.
“The thing about last year where they started to go wrong it did seem like particularly Cody Walker and Latrell were unhappy at different stages,” Kent said.
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“And they are the heartbeat of that team. And I know there were issues at the end of the season regarding that, but they are so crucial to the whole mindset of that team.
“To see Latrell last night as he was, was a real positive for the Rabbitohs. You can see the rest of the team are going to get behind what he is thinking.”
However, Anasta believes Souths are still a big question mark after becoming the only team to go from first after 11 rounds to miss the finals in the NRL era.
“There is still a huge cloud hanging over them after leading the competition after Round 11 to missing the top eight,” Anasta said.
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“That is a big drop. That is a fall from grace. No side has ever done that in the NRL era.
“Can they bounce back? Regardless of how they look and feel because the team they have got is a great team that should be top four every day of the week.”
James Hooper believes Souths are one of a handful of sides to improve their roster dramatically in terms of recruitment, which should hold them in good stead this season.
“They have recruited as well as anybody,” Hooper said.
“In signing Jack Wighton, who is an international and State of Origin player. They are going to play him at left centre, but he is a star.
“Sean Keppie I think is a valuable addition. Apparently he has fitted in really well. They all like him at training and he has brought a good energy and he will be playing in the starting pack against Manly at Allegiant Stadium.
“I think the Bunnies can bounce back, but I think it is their key position players.
“I love Latrell being in that mindset where he is smiling and he looks super fit. He looks like he has got his head on and he wants to prove a few people wrong this year and that’s when Latrell is at his most dangerous.”
Brent Read believes Souths are in the top five teams in the NRL on paper, but conceded they won’t go anywhere if Mitchell doesn’t fire.
“I think they are in the mix because their squad 1-17 is as good as anyone really,” Read said.
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“The spine is a great spine and that’s what wins you football games, so I think they need to be in the conversation with the Roosters and Melbourne and Penrith and the Broncos.
“But it probably all hinges on Latrell. He is their superstar and they win you the big games at the end of the year.
“When he is in the sort of frame of mind we saw yesterday they can beat anyone.”
“They need him to be at his best for them to have any chance this year the Rabbitohs,” Anasta concluded.
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