The True Blue Award began in 2014 and is given to a player who displays the qualities upon which the NSW team ethos is built. Previous recipients of the award include Daniel Saifiti, Josh Addo-Carr, Tom and Jake Trbojevic, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, and Brett and Josh Morris (joint-winners).

"It's a big honour, because the coaches see the qualities and character (needed to play for NSW)," Taree's Mitchell told nswrl.com.au.

"It's a proud moment for myself, not being known as the footy player but as a teammate, bringing the leadership qualities, character and everything that comes with it."

Such qualities include a team-first mentality and high effort in defence, which were on display in Mitchell's game two performance which saw him produce a one-on-one steal leading to a try, followed by a 90m intercept to extend the Blues' lead.

The man who presented the award, NSW assistant Greg Alexander, spoke of Mitchell's "journey" as a player, and the Blues' strike centre was especially pleased with his personal progression from his last Origin appearance in game one, 2019, to the 2021 series.

"I thought I took it (playing Origin) for granted at times," Mitchell added.

"There was a period there where I didn't play for a year and I looked back on that, reflected on myself and what I needed to work on.

"I'm proud of where I've come from then until now, the leadership qualities that I've grown and the resilience that I've grown, and I think it shows now.

"Looking at the plate (True Blue Award) and seeing all the names on it, it's an honour for me, a prestigious award being known as a great teammate and role model - it's good to be acknowledged for that."

Source: nswrl.com.au

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