Billy Slater has backed Latrell Mitchell’s decision not to pass to Alex Johnston for what would have equalled the NRL try-scoring record last Sunday. Johnston scored one try in South Sydney’s 40-30 win over the Dolphins, which took his career rally to 211 – one behind Ken Irvine’s all-time record.
But many thought he actually should have equalled the record on Sunday. Mitchell scored two tries of his own, and the second came when he ignored a golden opportunity to gift Johnston try No.212.
Billy Slater reckons Latrell Mitchell did the right thing. Image: AAP
Mitchell got the ball with the line wide open, and made the obvious decision to take it himself and score. But he easily could have passed to Johnston for what would have been an absolute gift.
On social media, a number of fans questioned whether Mitchell should have passed, and he even made light of the situation by apologising to Johnston online. But discussing the situation on Tuesday, Queensland coach Slater declared that Mitchell did the right thing.
“I actually agree with what happened,” Slater said on his podcast. “I actually saw it and initially thought ‘wow he could have passed to Alex Johnston’. But that’s not the game.
“Would you want to break the record with a free try, or a token, complimentary try from your teammate. No way. He’s going to get the record, it’ll happen at some stage whether it’s this coming week against the Roosters or the following week. And I think he deserves to get it his own way.”
Slater joked: “I actually probably wouldn’t accept it. I would have thrown it back to him.”
Latrell Mitchell scored the try himself rather than passing to Alex Johnston. Image: Getty/Channel 9
Latrell Mitchell pokes fun at pitch invasion debate
Meanwhile, Mitchell has produced a cheeky response to the debate around whether fans should be allowed to storm the field when Johnston gets the record. The NRL and Souths have implored fans not to run on-field due to safety concerns, but Mitchell doesn’t think it’ll happen anyway.
On social media he cheekily wrote: “Don’t worry, I’m not passing.” Johnston also took a funny dig at his teammate on Sunday, writing online: “Good game Trelly, pass next time.”
Wayne Bennett has called for fans to show ‘respect’ to the game and not run on-field, while diminutive fullback Jye Gray has flagged safety concerns with over 40,000 people potentially invading the pitch. Security at Allianz Stadium is expected to be increased for the Round 2 clash on Friday night, and fans risk bans and $5500 fines should they breach the field of play.