Queensland legend Lewis hails NSW centre Mitchell

BRISBANE: Queensland legend Wally Lewis has only now started to fully appreciate the comparisons between Latrell Mitchell and Greg Inglis as the proud Indigenous man and New South Wales (NSW) star tries to inspire another thumping of the Maroons.
Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic and James Tedesco were locked in a three-way battle to win the Wally Lewis Medal prior to last night as the Blues (failed to complete their first series sweep in 21 years.
Lewis has hated seeing his beloved Queensland thrashed by a combined 76-6 scoreline in the opening two games, and while he admired the NSW trio vying for the individual gong named in his honour, “The King” saved his biggest praise for Mitchell. “In previous seasons Latrell has had a bit to rise to (in terms) of getting to the level ‘GI’ (Inglis) set,” Lewis told the Herald.
“But after watching this year’s series it’s been easy to understand why the comparisons are there.
“Latrell is one of those guys who every time he gets his hands on the ball, everyone knows we could be just a couple of seconds away from drama and him destroying an opposition backline.
“Whilst you have a guy like Tom Trbojevic who displays plenty of grace and judgment with his performances in the backline, Latrell is there to smash and grab — he smashes the Queensland backline and grabs another four points. He’s actually done that with monotonous regularity. “Plenty of people were questioning his authority on the field, but there’s nobody questioning that in a Maroons jersey, that’s for sure.”
Mitchell and Trbojevic have dominated out wide, with both players in sensational form in Townsville, and Mitchell again unstoppable in the first half at Suncorp Stadium.
The footage of him racing 90 metres to score after an intercept conjured images of Inglis for the 50,000 fans in attendance and those watching at home.
While Lewis said Trbojevic had shown his class playing out of position at right centre, Tedesco somehow improved with every outing, and “whenever he has a plan to inject himself into the backline to add that extra man, there aren’t too many defenders happy to see his presence”.
Tedesco on Tuesday laughed when it was pointed out there was no Billy Slater playing this season to deny a Blues player Origin’s highest individual Origin honour.
Slater was controversially given the award in 2018, despite Tedesco leading the Blues to a drought-breaking series triumph and the Queensland superstar playing just two games in the series.
“Those two have played their best footy, I’m especially happy for Latrell after being out of the team and coming back in and now playing the best footy he can — it’s awesome for us,” Tedesco said. – SMH