Latrell Mitchell has been declared fit to take the field for South Sydney in their upcoming clash against the Dolphins, with coach Wayne Bennett eagerly anticipating the centre's showdown with rising star Jack Bostock.
Mitchell missed last week's victory over Cronulla due to a back injury, but successfully completed the captain's run at Langlands Park in Brisbane on Thursday, alleviating any concerns about his fitness.
“Latrell is fit to play,” Bennett confirmed. “He has met all the protocols and feels good and wants to play.”
The veteran coach also revealed that Mitchell would not be handling goalkicking duties in an effort to minimise the risk of aggravating his back injury.
“He could aggravate (the injury) with a leg swing through the ball so we are keeping it simple for him,” Bennett explained.
When questioned about whether Queensland should be concerned about Mitchell's potential impact in the State of Origin series opener on May 27, Bennett was quick to deflect attention back to the immediate task at hand.
“I am not worried about Queensland right now. It is about getting through tomorrow,” Bennett quipped. “If he is picked for NSW there is a 12-day turnaround. I’m sure he will back up.”
The Friday night fixture at Suncorp Stadium will see Bennett come up against one of his former proteges in Bostock, whom he handed an NRL debut to in 2024 while coaching the Redcliffe-based Dolphins.
Bostock has seamlessly transitioned from the wing to right centre, and Bennett expressed no surprise at his progress.
“Jack is a wonderful young man and I think the world of him,” Bennett said. “Jack will hold his own and Latrell will enjoy the challenge of playing against him.”
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf backed Bostock to rise to the occasion.
“It is a big task for him. Latrell is an outstanding player and there is no doubt he has been one of the form centres of the competition,” Woolf said. “I am really confident in Jack and what he brings to our footy team. It is not about him going out and trying to stop Latrell. He has got to play his own game and he has strengths of his own. Jack has a great confidence about him. He loves competing.”
The Dolphins will be without prop Frank Molo, who has succumbed to an ankle complaint, with utility Kurt Donoghoe coming into the squad.
