Focused Latrell has mind on job for Blues
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Latrell Mitchell says his head is now free of extraneous noise and he's ready to concentrate on winning back-to-back Origin series for the NSW Blues.
The split from agent Steve Deacon to his new manager Wayde Rushton has been a laborious and difficult time for the 21-year-old Sydney Roosters centre.
But he feels like he's come out of that dark tunnel and it's all systems go rejoining the Blues for the 2019 Holden State of Origin series, after playing all three games in his debut year in 2018.
"It's all done. All in the past now. I'm pretty happy with the outcome," Mitchell said at the True Blues dinner at Sydney's The Star Casino on Monday night.
"It's exciting now. I've had a lot going on the last couple of weeks, or months. But I've put that behind me now and Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) gave me a call and said I needed to focus for Origin.
"I said 'Sweet - let's go'. I got into camp and saw all the boys, five new fellas, and that's exciting to see.
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"I was sort of at the end of all that (management) negotiation I guess. But when Freddy called I was ready to switch my focus. I came down from Taree straight into camp," Mitchell said of being granted time by the Roosters to go home and see family after the Knights game in Newcastle last Friday night.
"It's just an escape coming into here. Freddy has a no phones policy and that's good because I don't get to look at Instagram, or social media or any media."
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
One thing Mitchell is certain of is that the favouritism tag for Game I on June 5 hasn't swung Queensland's way because of the long list of injuries to NSW players, which forced a few reshuffles in Fittler's line-up.
"Nay I don't reckon. We'll be alright," he said.
However, he does feel for Roosters teammate Luke Keary, who was pencilled into the NSW halves until suffering a concussion in the Knights game.
"It's a bit disappointing," he said.
"But things happen and all I want is for Luke to be alright - both mentally and physically. I just want him 100 per cent off-field."
He's not so sure about roommate, winger Josh Addo-Carr. The pair share the NSW left edge.
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"I've got stitches from laughing so much," Mitchell said.
"But my pet hate is that when he has a shower he just walks around so it's wet all over the floor. Why can't he dry himself in one spot?
"I go into the bathroom and there's water everywhere. And I say 'Just put a towel down' do you know what I mean. But he's an awesome roommate."
The Blues have their first training session on Tuesday morning at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park.
Be part of the action for Origin I at Suncorp Stadium Secure your seats here
