Jye Gray leaning on 'remarkable' Latrell Mitchell after Wayne Bennett shake-up
Jye Gray says he is relishing the permanent switch to fullback and is leaning on Latrell Mitchell after coach Wayne Bennett shook up the Jye Gray backline.
Gray was having to play second fiddle to Mitchell across his first two seasons in the top grade, typically only getting a crack at fullback when the NSW and Kangaroos superstar was injured, suspended or away in State of Origin camp.
Mitchell spent quite a lot of time sidelined over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, which gifted the pint-sized Gray plenty of opportunities to show his wares as a fullback.
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The 22-year-old is now the Rabbitohs' permanent fullback despite the return to fitness of Mitchell, who has seamlessly slotted back in at left centre.
Latrell Mitchell embraces Jye Gray. NRL Imagery
"I have been enjoying it," Gray said on Nine's Today.
"It's awesome Latrell is such a good player in two different positions and I was lucky enough for Wayne to back me in [at] fullback.
"I just try to put my best foot forward and do my job for the team week in, week out, and hopefully we get the two points come Friday."
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Gray said he would be "silly" not to pick Mitchell's brain in his full-time move.
"He's one of the best players in the league ... He's got such remarkable skills," Gray said.
"I try and take some little things each week that I can learn and run with those."
Gray was linked with a move to R360 but he knocked back the riches of the rebel league, instead inking a three-year Rabbitohs extension until the end of 2029.
Jye Gray scores a try against Wests Tigers. Getty
R360 had offered Gray a deal worth $920,000 a season, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, but the livewire stuck fat with rugby league and breathed a sigh of relief when the breakaway league postponed its intended start date to 2028.
The rebel league was initially supposed to get off the ground in 2026.
Gray has been exceptional for the Bunnies to start this season, scoring two tries and averaging more than 150 run metres per game.
Souths will take on Canterbury in the clubs' annual Good Friday fixture this week, squaring off at Accor Stadium.
