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‘Had to face the facts’ Life under Ryles | 05:27
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has revealed he and Wayne Bennett were marvelling at Latrell Mitchell’s pre-season form before his untimely hamstring injury suffered on Wednesday.
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Mitchell is set to be sidelined for the first eight weeks of the NRL season, while South Sydney captain Cameron Murray ruptured his Achilles which could see him miss the entire 2025 campaign.
Speaking on Thursday, Solly explained that Mitchell “couldn’t have done anything more to prepare himself” ahead of the club’s Round 1 clash with the Dolphins.
“Wayne (Bennett) and I were only remarking watching him move and train last Friday how good he looked,” Solly said to reporters.
“And how fit he looked, his movement was probably the best we have seen from him at the club so we were all getting very excited.
“But this is just one setback, it happens in professional sport and it happens at clubs.
“So the sooner we can get back on the field I’m sure everything that he has done since August last year will stand him in really good sted to get back on the field sooner.”
Mitchell last suffered a hamstring injury in 2022, with his latest blow coming on the same right leg. Meanwhile, calf injuries have plagued the gun fullback in recent seasons.
“I think everyone who knows sport know hamstrings and that sorts of soft tissue injuries can lead to reoccurrences,” Solly said.
“But certainly it has been four years since Latrell’s last hamstring issue. Yesterday was his right, it was the same hamstring as 2022.
“Like any player who suffers an injury… they want to get on the field and play, in fact there’s probably nothing more disappointing than missing your first game.
“He’s disappointed but his focus will move pretty quickly knowing the ferocious competitor he is.”
Meanwhile, Solly explained the Rabbitohs were hopeful Murray can return to the field as soon as possible, with Karl Lawton having returned from an Achilles rupture in only five months.
“It’s always difficult putting time frames on Cameron because he’s such a committed competitor and such a professional,” Solly explained.
“But when he undertakes his rehabilitation after surgery we will be able to keep people updated as to when we expect him back on the field.
“He’s had a rotten run with injury Cameron, like anyone would be he’s a bit disappointed. But one of the great things about Cameron is he’s very resilient, he’s a leader.
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“He loves the sport so he will be already focused on his quickly he can get back on the field and help his teammates.”
While Souths officials were disheartened by the pair of injuries to big-name stars, Solly believes big opportunities are now on the table for a pair of rising guns.
“It’s a great opportunity for guys like Jye Gray and Tallis Duncan who I think started to show us last year they’re not only NRL players, they’re very good NRL players,” he said.
“They will get some more time now to establish themselves in the NRL squad, from my point of view I can’t wait to see more of them.
“Both of them re-signed with the club on long-term deals in the last six months.”
