LATRELL Mitchell has already enjoyed a stellar year of rugby league.
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And it's only going to get better.
Mitchell, 17, was signed by the Sydney Roosters after playing Group Three under 18s with Taree City and under 16s with Red Rovers in 2013. He played a starring role in the Roosters great win in the SG Ball (under 18) final against Penrith when he scored two brilliant solo tries. The Roosters came from a 20-0 deficit at one stage to snatch a 34-30 win in the dying moments via a Mitchell try. He was later named the SG Ball player of the year.
While he played fullback for the Roosters he was selected on the wing for NSW under 18s for the match against Queensland. He later received a call to play for the Roosters Holden Cup (under 20s) side, where he turned out in three games before injury cut short his season.
However, he's fully fit now and ready for the next adventure. That'll happen on November 21 when he leaves for a month-long six game tour of England with the Australian Schoolboys side. This will include two test matches.
"I'm looking forward to it - I'm keen,'' Mitchell, who is currently home in Taree, said.
He admits he didn't know what to expect when he first moved to Sydney.
"I was just hoping to get a run in the SG Ball team,'' he said.
"So it's all been good.''
He said winning the grand final was the highlight of the year along with being named player of the match. The Roosters were also to head to Glasgow as Australia's representatives in the league nines played as an exhibition tournament at the Commonwealth Games. However, Mitchell didn't get on the plane.
"They told me I was needed to play in the under 20s,'' he explained.
"So I didn't get to go. But that's okay.''
Mitchell left this area as a five-eighth. But he believes he's found a new home at fullback, enjoying the extra space the position allows.
The under 20s had opposed training sessions against the first grade squad and that's where Mitchell's season came to an early end.
There's a local connection there, as well.
Mitchell fractured his collarbone after a collision with first grade backrower Boyd Cordner, who hails from Old Bar.
Looking to next year and Mitchell hopes to establish himself as fullback in the Holden Cup team. He's signed for the Roosters for a further two seasons and he says he couldn't be happier at the club.
Not surprisingly, longer term he's hoping to make first grade.
However, that's for the future to decide. Mitchell's more immediate goal is to play well for Australia when the team arrives in England.