![\"Christian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
September 4, 2026 \u2014 5:00am<\/p>\n
Save<\/p>\n
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n
Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has it. So does Tom Chester and Jaxon Purdue at the North Queensland Cowboys. Ditto, Kalyn Ponga at the Newcastle Knights, Leka Halasima at the New Zealand Warriors, and virtually any player in the Dolphins\u2019 back line.<\/p>\n When it comes to the one player with genuine X-factor heading into the NRL finals, Penrith ace Nathan Cleary, himself a top-shelf game-breaker, said there was one rival who stood out \u2013 South Sydney\u2019s Latrell Mitchell.<\/p>\n Mitchell punched out half an hour against the Gold Coast Titans<\/a> in his return from a nerve issue in his lower back and leg last Saturday, and will build on those minutes again against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old centre looms as Souths\u2019 trump card this September because of the way he can influence a game with one play.<\/p>\n According to Cleary, the bigger the moment, the better Mitchell performs.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you watch him, it\u2019s like everyone grows around him,\u201d Cleary told this masthead.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s such a big presence on the field. For someone so big and powerful and strong, and so fast and skilful as well \u2013 he epitomises X-factor.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like when the moment gets bigger, he rises to it always. That\u2019s usually a telling factor of a great player.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I\u2019ve taken the field with him, I feel like he\u2019s done something incredible.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of those guys when you look back at the end of your career, you\u2019ll be able to say, \u2018I got to play with that guy\u2019, and some of the stuff he\u2019s been able to do is incredible\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitchell won two premierships at the Roosters, and needs little motivation lifting for Friday, even though half the opposition\u2019s top players have been given a breather.<\/p>\n His return, which was no sure thing a month ago, has been welcomed by his teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re tying your boots up before a game, you look across, and you see Cody [Walker] and Cam [Murray] and Latrell, it gives you a massive confidence boost, and if you do your job, you know they\u2019ll put points on the board,\u201d back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s come from the Roosters. It\u2019s extra special for him. There\u2019s nothing better than beating your old club. They know he\u2019s one of the best players in the comp, and they try to stop him, but not many people can.\u201d<\/p>\n Skipper Murray added: \u201cIt always makes a little more comfortable and confident knowing he\u2019s out there next to you on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, he can continue to build his game fitness, and inch towards the form he showed at the start of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitchell was in top form for about a month earlier in the year, with a try against the Knights, when he stormed over the top of Ponga, one of the season highlights.<\/p>\n Related Article Souths coach Wayne Bennett was mindful about the narrative of Mitchell being Souths\u2019 saviour.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not much value to you if they don\u2019t play well; let\u2019s see what happens Friday,\u201d Bennett said.<\/p>\n Latrell Siegwalt has been named on the extended bench and will spend time in the centres if Mitchell needs a short spell. Tallis Duncan has done an excellent job in the centres while Mitchell was out, but he is one of the few Souths players given a freshen-up ahead of next week\u2019s final, which is expected to be against the Knights on a Friday night at Allianz Stadium.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Which](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/e5fba2c991d1d9b30637275cfd4be6bf06dc9d93.jpeg\")
Which way to the finals? Latrell Mitchell before Souths\u2019 captain\u2019s run on Thursday.Sam Mooy<\/p>\n![\"Ready](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afd465d4306b0962b5db2cf3d907ab61cacbb39a.jpeg\")
Ready to launch: Latrell Mitchell goes through his paces at Heffron Park.Sam Mooy<\/p>\n![\"Jai](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2f3e170c529be284ed68a3930fb66dfe78c95327.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n