They’ve won five on the trot on the back of Thursday’s 32-16 victory, with Jack Wighton’s move to five-eighth working a treat, while Mitchell has been the form player in the NRL since returning from suspension.
He laid on the opening try of the night for Jacob Gagai, produced a stunning tackle to deny Dylan Brown a certain four-pointer, powered his way over the line in the second half and then threw a tough pass under pressure to set up Gagai for the sealer.
Having had his effort questioned on a weekly basis before the ban, Mitchell is now involved in everything, with his desperation to win rubbing off on his teammates who were defensively superb in the driving rain.
Two months ago you would have been laughed at for wondering if South Sydney can play finals football in 2024.
Now, it’s a distinct possibility off the back of their current winning streak, which was extended to five games with their big win over the Parramatta Eels in Round 18.
Of course, the Eels possess some of the game’s finest attacking talent in Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and Damien Cook, but it’s been their defence upon which these wins have been built.
In their last six games, Souths have averaged just 13.2 points conceded per game. That’s a competition leading defensive record from a side who’s season seemed dead and buried in April.
Speaking on Thursday night’s The Matty Johns Show, former Rabbitohs captain Bryan Fletcher shared his belief the Bunnies can qualify for the finals.
“Historically 13 wins will get you in the top eight. They need to win seven of their last nine. And that’ll give them 13 wins,” Fletcher said.
At the moment, South’s are just two points outside the eight with 18 points from six wins. They’ve also had all three of their byes.
