Bennett may end Latrell Mitchell fullback experiment

Wayne Bennett may end the Latrell Mitchell fullback experiment after just two rounds following an underwhelming performance by the new Rabbitohs custodian in Souths' 22-18 loss to the Broncos.

Mitchell played at the back for 60 minutes before being switched to left centre and Alex Johnston coming on at fullback.

The 22-year-old made 102 metres from his 10 runs but looked more dangerous after the positional switch, breaking into the backfield only for Campbell Graham to inexplicably cut inside when Mitchell drew his man and passed the ball to where he thought his winger would be.

Mitchell struggled to inject himself from fullback and in the post-match presser  Bennett was asked how important it was to be patient with him.

"It is important, but we've got another week coming up and we'll make some team selections and see what we do there," he said.

"He is just in a group of guys at the moment that all wanted to lose the ball tonight. They didn't want to hang on to it."

The Rabbitohs coach was then asked if it could benefit Mitchell going back to the centres where he won two premierships at the Roosters.

"He needs to play football, that is the first to thing I know. We'll have to sit down and think about it," Bennett said.

"We all know he can play there [at centre] but I know he can play fullback as well. We'll just have a look through the week."

Bennett is not one to be rushed into making a change on the back of external criticism and Mitchell may well get the nod again at fullback for next week's clash with his former club the Roosters, where another vote of confidence from the coach may ignite his best.

Mitchell did display a moment of sheer class at fullback with a magical ball from a scrum to set James Roberts free in a movement that ended with a try to Cody Walker.

It is why Bennett did say Mitchell could succeed at fullback "because he has got the smarts and the football nous".

"It was always going to take time. He played in the centres the last two or three years and he is at a new club with a whole lot of new things around him," Bennett said.

"He is not the reason we played badly tonight. There were a whole lot of other guys way in front of him in the bad play department."

The Rabbitohs hung in the contest largely on the back of some brilliance from five-eighth Walker who was clearly the side's best but the ball control, energy and cohesion were all below par with Brisbane's middle forwards dominating South Sydney up front.

"We were very disappointing. Our execution was poor," Bennett said.

Flying up on the day and playing in front of an empty stadium due to the unfolding coronavirus pandemic was not the problem for Souths.

"It was totally different but it is what it is. It didn't impact on the way we should have played,” Bennett said.

"I couldn't tell you what their mindset was but it wasn't about playing well.

"It had nothing to do with the situation we all find ourselves in."