Geyer urges Blues to 'put a line through' Latrell

Mark Geyer has urged NSW to “put a line through” Latrell Mitchell ahead of this year’s State of Origin series, with uncertainty around the Rabbitohs star’s availability.

The 26-year-old, who is in the middle of a three-game suspension, is reportedly weighing up ruling himself out of contention for the Blues to focus on club football.

South Sydney are stranded at the bottom of the NRL ladder with just one win from seven games this year, and the absence of Latrell has only made matters worse.

New coach Michael Maguire had recently left the door ajar for Mitchell to make his return to the Origin arena in 2024, but according to Geyer, the recent uncertainty on the fullback’s behalf should be enough to rule him out completely.

Latrell Mitchell during Origin camp in 2023.

“When you’ve got a player who is umming and ahing about playing Origin, you put a line through him,” the Panthers great told Triple M.

“The fact that he’s saying he wants to make himself unavailable, that’s fair enough.

“He’s been out for three weeks, he’s on a lot of money at Souths and I think Latrell believes he’s not giving them value for money … I get that, that’s fine.

“I don’t want him to play if he’s second guessing himself and I don’t think Madge will pick him if he’s second guessing himself, because he wants guys who are fully in.”

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Mitchell has been a standout for NSW during his career, but has missed the past two series due to injury, leaving a gaping hole out wide for the Blues.

And that’s exactly why Geyer believes his likely omission from the lineup will have the Maroons breathing a sigh of relief.

Latrell Mitchell in action for the Rabbitohs earlier this year.

“On the other side of the equation, if I’m Queensland, guess who I don’t want to see in the centres? Latrell Mitchell,” he said.

“Two or three years ago in the centres, he was in beast mode.

“I think centre is his spot.”

Stephen Crichton and Tom Trbojevic loom as the likely starting centres for NSW in the series opener, with the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best and Izack Tago in the mix.