NRL legend Wendell Sailor has taken aim at Latrell Mitchell for “borderline arrogance and entitlement” following his horror hit on Joseph Manu on Friday night.
South Sydney superstar Mitchell is staring at a season ending 6-9 week ban after the high shot that left Roosters gun Manu badly injured.
Sailor said that Mitchell’s trademark swagger was starting to take the shine off his game and reputation.
“It just got personal,” Sailor told Triple M radio on Saturday.
“I know they’ve (Mitchell and Manu) won premierships together, they’re really good mates. But I just think sometimes with Latrell, his confidence can get the better of him.
“There’s that little bit of borderline arrogance and entitlement.
“Latrell has played some really good football this year but a couple of things have crept into his game.
“I can tell you right now (Rabbitohs coach) Wayne Bennett wouldn’t be real happy. They can’t win it (the premiership) without Latrell.”
NRL guru Phil Gould, however, had a degree of sympathy for Mitchell.
‘Latrell out for the year’: Gus
“Latrell Mitchell, there will be a lot of people at home calling for his head,” Gould told Nine’s Friday Night Footy post-show.
“But it’s from people who have never played the game or been in that position like he was defending his try line there.
“He’s got this wrong, he’s made contact with the head and that’s what it is. But we’re certainly going to hear more about it because given what we’ve seen this season. The fact that he’s made contact with the head, it won’t matter why or how it’s happened, the fact that Manu is so badly injured and he’s got loading, I can’t see how he won’t be spending time on the sideline.”
Another NRL legend, Cooper Cronk, agreed the Rabbitohs couldn’t win the premiership without Mitchell.
“I love Latrell and I’ve played a lot of football with Latrell and he is a heavy competitor and South Sydney need him in their side to win the grand final,” Cronk said on Fox Sports.
“He has already had one similar charge with David Nofoaluma in round six and missed four weeks. He has got priors.”
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