3 minute read
A frank Latrell Mitchell has conceded his NRL game is not where he wants it to be at the Sydney Roosters this year and he's only been going through the motions.
He's one of the NRL's most-devastating players, but Sydney Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell admits he's only been going through the motions this season.
And he knows it has to change.
From the outside in, Mitchell has retained his status as one of the game's best centres in 2019. He leads the position for try assists and forms a crucial part of the Roosters' deadly left edge.
But a frank Mitchell conceded on Friday that he was not playing as well as last year, when he helped NSW to a State of Origin series win and the Roosters to the NRL title.
"I'm not where I want to be ... There is a lot of work to do," Mitchell admitted.
"It's not up to my standards, to be honest. I've come out the first couple of weeks just going through the motions - not being myself, to be honest.
"It's an internal thing. I'm not satisfied with what I'm doing on the field. I've got a lot more in me."
Pressed further on what was holding him back, Mitchell said there were several parts of his game that had to improve.
"Discipline - there are a few things creeping into my game here and there," he said.
"The movements I have to do off the ball. And just personal things as well."
Despite the 21-year-old did not wanting to delve into the personal matters, it's understood he is continuing to spilt from his manager.
Mitchell's comments come just a week after one of the best individual performances of the year in the grand-final rematch against Melbourne.
His barnstorming run to set up James Tedesco was one of the highlights of the season so far, as was his 40-metre field goal from the left of the posts.
His four try assists are already as many as for the whole of last year, while he also leads the NRL's point-scoring lists.
"I think it's probably them in between moments of the big moments we see," Roosters captain Boyd Cordner said of Mitchell's comments.
"They are crazy; I think only he could pull off some of the things he does.
"But it's probably the in-between moments, off the ball stuff, that we value as a team.
"He's a fantastic player and I love playing with him on the left edge. I think he might be a bit harsh on himself there."