Latrell Mitchell’s Return to Form and the Excitement of a NSW Reunion
Latrell Mitchell has made a remarkable return to his best this season, and his close friend Josh Addo-Carr is eager to witness the South Sydney star’s dominance on the field. After spending six seasons trying to establish himself as a fullback, Mitchell has found renewed energy and success in a permanent move back to the centre position for the Rabbitohs. His performance has been impressive, with 11 tries and six try assists in the team’s 5-3 start to the season.
Mitchell has looked particularly lethal at left centre, and he is now a strong contender for selection in Laurie Daley’s NSW squad for the State of Origin series opener in Sydney on May 27.
Parramatta flyer Josh Addo-Carr, who has 11 tries in 15 Origin games, hasn’t played alongside Mitchell in a NSW jersey since the 2021 series. However, his chances of making a comeback have been boosted by injuries to Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz and Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
The man known as The Foxx is excited about the possibility of lining up outside the in-form Mitchell.
“Me and ‘Trell’, we’re super close, it’s always a pleasure to play with your brother,” Addo-Carr told AAP. “If we get the opportunity again it’ll be mad and I definitely won’t let Laurie down.
“The state of the game is so quick and defenders are so tired and his attacking ability, nobody has what he has. He’s on a tear at the moment but when the defensive line is tired Latrell comes alive – that’s his game.
“I’m super happy to see how happy he is, he and Souths have been through a fair bit last year and it’s awesome to see a good mate going well.”
Addo-Carr made the last of his 15 NSW appearances in 2023 after being overlooked by Brad Fittler due to his indifferent form during his time at the Bulldogs the following season. However, the winger earned a spot on last year’s Kangaroos tour after an encouraging end to 2025, his first season with the Eels.
Addo-Carr has scored four tries in eight games for Parramatta this season and was part of a pre-season meet-up arranged by Daley and his Blues staff.
“We had a get-together at the start of the year and just being in the mix for that is something I’m super proud of,” Addo-Carr said. “If Laurie wants me or needs me I’ll do everything I can to help the state and the team.”
Daley, speaking on Sky Sports Radio, mentioned that Addo-Carr, along with South Sydney’s Campbell Graham, Manly’s Tolu Koula, and Penrith centre Casey McLean, are all in consideration for Origin I.
Panthers’ metre-eater Brian To’o appears to be a certain pick for the other wing spot.
However, Daley is expected to miss Adam Doueihi, who was building momentum for a debut as a utility before suffering a shoulder dislocation in Wests Tigers’ 52-10 defeat to Cronulla on Sunday.
On a positive note, back-rower Angus Crichton has been cleared of a serious knee injury, according to Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco.
Crichton was seen wearing a knee brace at the Roosters training centre on Monday, where it was confirmed that Nawaqanitawase had undergone surgery on his ankle.
“I think they’re saying only one or two weeks, so it’s more on him and how it feels,” said Tedesco, who is locked in a two-way battle with Dylan Edwards to play fullback for the Blues.
“It wasn’t as bad as we first thought, so that’s positive.”
