Latrell Mitchell‘s season is on life support after suffering a Lisfranc injury against the Eels on Thursday night.
On Sunday morning, The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed Mitchell would see a specialist this week in the hopes of avoiding what would be season-ending foot surgery.
Even if he does avoid the surgery, he’s still facing at least a month on the sidelines and will miss the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.
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Mitchell suffered the injury in the first half of the Rabbitohs’ win over Parramatta on Thursday night, but played through the pain and finished the game.
Having not played Origin since 2021, Mitchell starred on his Blues return in game two. He is yet to play in a losing Blues team.
NSW coach Michael Maguire will now have to search elsewhere to fill the centres position.
Former Blues captain Paul Gallen described it as a “shame”.
“He’s in such good form, playing such good footy and gives everyone else in the team confidence … it’s such a shame,” he said on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team.
Newcastle’s Bradman Best, Canterbury’s Matt Burton, Sydney Roosters’ Joseph Suaalii or Manly’s Tom Trbojevic – who returns from a hamstring injury on Saturday night against North Queensland – are all in contention.
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Best has battled his own hamstring niggles this season, but scored two length-of-the-field tries against the Eels.
Having been sent off in Origin I for his hit on Reece Walsh, Suaalii would also be a strong contender for a recall.
Matt Burton has also been in good form for the Bulldogs, but hasn’t played an Origin since the 2022 series decider.
Like in the opening two matches of the series, the Blues side is expected to be named on Sunday evening, before the Maroons release theirs on Monday morning.