Key three: Triffic TrellMit takes centre stage to down Titans in Indigenous Round
Latrell Mitchell has put the Rabbitohs on his back in his return to claim a 20-18 victory against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
Returning early from a calf injury, the South Sydney superstar was dynamic for his side to help them break a nine-game losing streak and it was only fitting on Indigenous Round he stood up for the occasion.
A tough afternoon for Gold Coast who lost their left edge outside backs to two separate injuries in the second half - Brian Kelly to a failed HIA and Alofiana Khan-Pereira to a hamstring - the home side trapped and scrapped to get within two points of Wayne Bennett's men, before controversy struck with Jayden Campbell once again.
The nimble playmaker denied a penalty in front of the posts in the dying seconds after appearing to be hit high by defenders who were scrambling to stop him from setting up the match-winner, leading to a narrow two-point victory to the visitors in front of 14,957 fans at Robina.
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
17th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Here are the key talking points:
Triffic TrellMit
Latrell Mitchell was the star of the show for South Sydney, mesmerising the home side every time he touched the ball.
Having been sidelined since Round 17, the Indigenous powerhouse was in the action from the get-go at left centre, setting up Alex Johnston with a pinpoint pass in only the second minute, before forcing the ball free from Jayden Campbell who was certain to score under the posts only a few plays later.
Bringing the aggression to lift his Rabbitohs side, Mitchell was in everything with a try assist, a crucial line break and a number of try savers to deny the Titans several times.
It was his flick pass for Johnston that was his biggest play of the day, helping notch up his eighth consecutive win against Gold Coast.
Round 23 highlights: Titans v Rabbitohs
Was it high?
The Cbus Super Stadium crowd certainly thought so, as did Fox League commentators when Campbell appeared to be clipped high by Thomas Fletcher and Jai Arrow in the 79th minute.
"That should have been awarded a penalty... he got him right on the chin," said Steve Roach upon watching the replay.
It would've resulted in a penalty right in front the posts 15 metres out, which would have likely sent the game into golden point.
Titans coach Des Hasler refused to enter the debate of whether it should or should not have been a penalty in his post-match press conference, believing his side should've iced the game and not left their fate in the hands of that decision in the dying stages.
"You can expect whatever you want... but it didn't happen," he said.
"It shouldn't come down to that to win that game of football."
Press conference: Round 23 v Rabbitohs
Outside backs sidelined
The Titans will be without Brian Kelly for next week's trip to Sydney after the outside back failed his head injury assessment at half-time.
He may be joined on the sideline by Alofiana Khan-Pereira who also came from the field in the 60th minute with a hamstring complaint; but despite losing the left hand duo; Gold Coast are set to welcome back Phil Sami who missed the South Sydney showdown due to the same reason.
Moeaki Fotuaika is also expected back to join the pack after being struck down by the flu.
