The Mole: Wayne Bennett’s Fullback Conundrum as a ‘Straightforward Solution’ Comes to Light

Wayne Bennett, an illustrious figure in coaching since the 1980s, is poised to make one of the most challenging decisions of his extensive career in the coming days.

The return of star fullback Latrell Mitchell to the South Sydney Rabbitohs next weekend has set expectations high, as he aims to reclaim his preferred position.

Bennett has even confirmed that Latrell will don the iconic No.1 jersey.

However, this assertion came before Jye Gray’s remarkable performance against the four-time champions, Penrith, on Thursday night.

Gray brings boundless energy to the game, akin to the Energiser Bunny, popping up all over the field and invigorating the entire team with his spirited approach.

Gray notched a try and assisted in another as the Rabbitohs surged to a surprising 28-0 lead at halftime, effectively sealing the game.

While Latrell must surely return to the starting lineup, dropping Gray given his current form seems unjust.

A potential solution could be to retain Gray at fullback and shift Latrell to centre, though this might not sit well with the club’s marquee player.

THE GLAMOUR CLUB’S HARSH TRUTHS

Despite expectations that the Roosters would face hardships in 2025, they’re now appearing as serious contenders for the bottom four.

With only one win from four matches, the Roosters seem to have lost their direction.

The departure of numerous star players over the summer has left the Roosters struggling to fill the void.

They possess promising young talents but lack the proven superstars to instil confidence in these rookies.

The absence of key players like James Tedesco, Angus Crichton, and Victor Radley has left the Roosters lacking in leadership to guide the younger players.

Their 30-12 defeat to the Titans at home on Friday night emphasised several issues the Roosters face, leading to what looks to be a challenging season ahead for the red, white, and blue.

Catch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

INDICATOR OF WALSH’S DEVELOPMENT

Reece Walsh might not have had his finest outing in the Broncos’ victory over the Dolphins, yet it was precisely what coach Michael Maguire needed.

After two consecutive underwhelming performances, Walsh found himself at a crucial juncture.

Another lacklustre display could have seen him demoted to the Queensland Cup, but rather, Walsh returned to the fundamentals and refrained from overextending himself.

Despite challenging weather conditions, he managed only a single mistake while also providing a try assist.

This performance should significantly boost Walsh’s flagging confidence, with expectations of improvement in the upcoming weeks.

CLOSED DOOR MEETING TRANSFORMS DRAGONS’ FORTUNES

A closed-door meeting during the bye week proved instrumental in the Dragons’ surprising victory over the Storm on Saturday afternoon.

After starting the season disappointingly with consecutive losses, the bye week allowed Shane Flanagan’s squad to regroup.

“It was a candid discussion where the players addressed the issues head-on,” a source from the Dragons revealed to Wide World of Sports.

“While we would have preferred not to have a bye without a win, it ended up being beneficial as we faced the Storm.

We were aware they would be a formidable opponent, making our victory all the more gratifying.”

Veteran fullback Clint Gutherson, centre Val Holmes, and hooker Damien Cook—all new signings—delivered standout performances to a thrilled Kogarah crowd.

Back-rower Jaydn Su’a also excelled in both offensive and defensive capacities.

MANLY’S YOUNG STAR STEPS UP FOR INJURED TEAMMATE

Manly has lucked out with Lehi Hopoate stepping up as a ready replacement for the injury-stricken Tom Trbojevic.

Turbo struggled through the opening half of Sunday’s gritty 26-12 win over the struggling Eels before being sidelined for the remainder of the match.

Hopoate showcased his versatility, transitioning from wing to fullback and putting on an impressive performance, gaining 213 metres—more than any other player on the pitch.

With Turbo likely to be out for several weeks, Hoppa junior can be relied upon to ensure the Sea Eagles remain competitive.

COWBOYS’ REDEEMED STAR GOES FROM ZERO TO HERO

Jake Clifford appeared headed for a year to forget in 2025 after beginning the season in the Queensland Cup.

However, following two straight defeats, Cowboys coach Todd Payten opted to give Clifford another chance, and the 27-year-old responded with a standout performance, earning the man-of-the-match title in the team’s first win of the season against Canberra on Saturday night.

Clifford scored two impressive solo tries, proving to be the decisive factor in the Cowboys’ 30-20 victory over two struggling teams.

This performance should secure him a steady position in the crucial halfback role moving forward.

AN EARLY ORIGIN BOLTER APPEARS

Bronson Xerri has thrown his hat in the ring early for NSW State of Origin contention.

Xerri’s exceptional performance out wide is a significant factor in the Bulldogs’ current position at the top of the premiership table.

Cronulla boasts one of the league’s most esteemed backlines, but the swift Xerri tore them apart with two tries and two line breaks.

With his drug suspension days at the Sharks now a distant memory, Xerri is making a splendid impression on the field and is undoubtedly catching the attention of Blues selectors Craig Bellamy and Laurie Daley.