I'll make my own NRL legacy: Mitchell

Sep 8, 2017 - 5:32 PM Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell has shied away from more comparisons to Greg Inglis, saying he wants to carve his own legacy in the NRL.

Not for the first time in his career, Mitchell was likened to the Australia and Queensland representative after producing the match-winning try in the Roosters' two-point qualifying final win over Brisbane on Friday.

"There's nothing going on here, he beat 4-5 defenders," eighth immortal Andrew Johns said during commentary on the Nine Network.

"But when something needed to happen, he just stood up in the big moments.

"In rugby league terms, he's only a baby, he's still growing into his body, he's still understanding the game.

"In terms of natural ability, it's not fair to compare him to someone else, but it's a clone of Greg Inglis. It's a clone."

Mitchell was humbled by the comparison, but showed his maturity by declaring his desire to blaze his own trail in the NRL.

"I've had this sort of thing since SG Ball coming through. It's a good compliment at the end of the day, Greg Inglis, you've seen what he's done in the game," he said.

"(But) I'm here to make my own legacy and make my own name. I'm here to play footy, have fun, and enjoy being a 20-year-old."

Mitchell admitted he was tired when he received the ball with the game on the line at Allianz Stadium, but trusted his natural instinct.

He swatted away opposing centre James Roberts before cantering 20 metres to the tryline.

"I was tired. I was like, here we go. I gotta run now," Mitchell said of his try.

"I had Jimmy Roberts in front of me, he'd been aggressive all night. He just had that look about him, he stuffed up with one of his movements and I just went with it.

"A gap opened up and I just went with instinct."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Mitchell was destined for those moments.

"The round game's are hard. Guys stand up - that's what the difference is between reserve grade players and NRL players," he said.

"But then in finals footy, that's another level again. Players find it sometimes too difficult.

"And then some guys stand up and with Latrell, I've seen him do it through the age groups at that level in finals football, win games.

"The strength of him on that play, and the speed and power in that five metres, that won us the game."

Source: AAP






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