Latrell Mitchell's glittering career has already delivered him premierships, Origin series wins and World Cup glory but captaining the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville on Friday night tops the lot.
The Indigenous fullback will take over captaincy duties in what will be his sixth All Stars appearance after last year's skipper and Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker was ruled out due to a calf injury.
Mitchell has been a passionate advocate for the All Stars concept since making his debut in 2017 and admits he was close to tears when coach Ronald Griffiths asked him to lead the side against the Māori.
“There was definitely a lot of things going through my head, one of things where you’re just holding back tears,” Mitchell told media on Thursday.
“I’m very passionate, I probably show it a bit more than others, but it’s just the way I am and the way I’ve been brought up.
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“It means so much to me to represent my people, I do it every day and I’ll never shy away from that and I never have since I came into the game as an 18-year-old kid.”
Former Indigenous All Stars captain and two-time Preston Campbell Medal winner Johnathan Thurston has no doubt Mitchell will deliver on the paddock, but said it’s his off-field contributions to the game that need to be honoured as well.
Having captained Mitchell in his All Stars debut in 2017, Thurston said he has been proud to watch the boy from Taree grow into one of the proudest Indigenous voices in the game.
“He was a very raw and quiet lad but he’s certainly grown in stature not only on the field but off the field as well and it is great to see the young man that he’s grown into today,” Thurston told NRL.com.
“He’s one of the reasons kids come through the gates, to watch him and I’ve been really impressed with what he’s been able to do off the field as well.
“He understands the role that he plays in the community and that’s very important for especially our Indigenous leaders in the game, to do that and give back to the community.
“So it’s great thing for him to lead the boys out but what he’s doing off the field has got to be commended as well.”
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Having played under the likes of Thurston, Greg Inglis, Joel Thompson and Walker throughout his All Stars career, Mitchell said it was surreal to now be that role model for the younger players in the squad.
“You pinch yourself every day, I played with Greg, I played with Johnathan Thurston and there’s endless thoughts that go on about how amazing their careers were,” Mitchell said.
“I’ve been under many leaders and for me to come into this role now, it’s an honour and I’m very grateful.
“It’s been a long journey definitely throughout my career and this game is probably at the top of one of my accolades that I’ve achieved
“For me now, taking on the leadership role is about taking the lessons I’ve learned and turning them into experiences and just allow myself to play the game I love.”
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