Latrell Mitchell can't be NRL's best player, says Andrew Johns, rating him No.5
Andrew Johns has panned talk of Latrell Mitchell being the NRL’s best player, saying a centre could not take No.1 spot.
Rugby league Immortal Johns lauded Mitchell as a “superstar” but declared that only playmakers could lay claim to the ‘best player’ tag.
Mitchell produced one of the most statistically incredibly performances in memory last Saturday for the Roosters against Wests Tigers, finishing with a 26-point haul. He scored three tries, ran 202 metres, made two line breaks, one try assist and five tackle busts – all from seven runs of the football.
Johns said on Freddy and the Eighth that although Mitchell was freakishly talented, a ‘best player’ needed to have a more constant influence on the game. He nominated teammates Luke Keary and James Tedesco as better players and gave a huge nod to South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker.
“I think a centre can be the best strike player, but I think the best player is the one who handles the ball the most and manages the game,” Johns said.
“Like a Cameron Smith, like a Keary, a Cody Walker, maybe even Tedesco. [Cooper] Cronk.
“My top four [players in the NRL right now]: Cameron Smith, Keary, Cody Walker and Tedesco. I’ve got Latrell at No.5.”
Roosters stars Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco during the Wests Tigers game. Getty
Fellow NRL legend Brad Fittler added Sam Burgess and Jake Trbojevic as options in the forwards, while Jason Taumalolo would no doubt have fans.
Johns pitched Fittler his argument against Mitchell being rated the NRL's No.1 via the following scenario.
Johns: “Going into a big game. Roosters, grand final. No Latrell, could they win the grand final?”
Fittler: “Without Latrell? Yeah.”
Johns: “Could they win it without Keary?”
Fittler: “Most probably not.”
Johns: “There’s my argument.”
Yet Johns is hugely impressed with Mitchell, saying that casual rugby league fans were coming up to him raving about the Roosters star after his weekend performance.
“He just keeps getting better and better. He’s playing with the defence,” Johns said.
“Look at the skill. He’d been seeing the game so slow. The game’s slowed down for him, which doesn’t normally happen until players get to their late 20s.
"If Latrell has got his head on, it’s up to him where he goes in the game. The potential of this young man … it’s pretty frightening.
“There was Wests Tigers people clapping. Everyone in the stadium would have been out of their seats. When you’ve got the opposition team [fans] standing and applauding, you know it’s good.”
