NSW coach Brad Fittler believes NRL star Latrell Mitchell can follow in the footsteps of Greg Inglis and make the successful transition to fullback.
Mitchell’s immediate playing future has intensified after he was photographed meeting North Queensland officials on Monday night.
His visit to Townsville came on the same day Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson suggested Mitchell has ambitions on wearing the No.1 jumper.
“I reckon if Latrell puts his mind to it, I reckon Latrell can do anything,” Fittler said at the launch of the new Blues jerseys for next year’s State of Origin series.
“He’s an incredibly capable bloke.”
Mitchell has also been heavily linked with the Wests Tigers, having met with coach Michael Maguire in his hometown of Taree last week.
The Kangaroos centre is being widely tipped to play fullback for the Tigers or Cowboys, making the same positional switch as the recently-retired Inglis.
A centre for most of the first seven seasons of his career, Inglis transformed himself into one of the world’s best custodians at South Sydney.
He was fullback when the Rabbitohs’ ended their 43-year premiership drought under Maguire, who now holds the clipboard at the Tigers.
Although Fittler warned that Mitchell would be tested physically if he were to move to the back.
“There’s obviously challenges playing fullback,” Fittler said.
“I’m gathering he’d have to get a little bit fitter and if you look at the ground they cover at the moment, fullbacks, it is a tough job. You wouldn’t go into that lightly.
“But you look at Greg Inglis, he’s not the most aerobically fit bloke.
“Jarryd Hayne, they all did really good jobs at fullback.
“He’ll make it his own if he ends up playing there, I’m sure.”
Mitchell, who has one more year on his deal with the Roosters, revealed his next move would be to visit family in Cairns as he contemplates his decision.
When he was approached by the Seven Network after his meeting with the Cowboys, Mitchell said: “Northern Pride? I might play with them. Who knows.
“Nah, I’ve got some family up there so I might go and see them.”
New Cowboys centre Esan masters, who joins the club from the Tigers, said any NRL club would be “lucky” to have Mitchell.
The pair played SG Ball together at the Roosters in 2014.
“Look, if he comes to the Cowboys, all the boys would be welcoming. I’ll be welcoming,” Marsters told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’d be good to have him on your side rather than against you.
“If he comes to our side, it’s going to boost our backline. I think just give us a bit more X-factor. But there’s a lot of talent in this team.”
Fittler also confirmed Mitchell, who was controversially dumped from the Blues team after game one this year, would be invited to Origin camp in December.
