Sexton unfazed by DCE links to Dogs as he chases new deal, Bunnies back Latrell to shine in surprise role

Toby Sexton says Canterbury’s rumoured pursuit of Daly Cherry-Evans completely passed him by as the Bulldogs’ off-contract halfback looks to continue the club’s revival and secure his own future.

When Manly halfback Cherry-Evans flagged last week he would leave the Sea Eagles at the end of this season, the Dogs were heavily mentioned as one of the main contenders for the Queenslander’s services. 

But Canterbury football boss Phil Gould reiterated late last week as things stood, the Bulldogs were not in the market for Cherry-Evans.

That would be music to the ears of Sexton – if only he were listening.

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The biggest story in the NRL barely registered a ripple on the 24-year-old’s radar, Sexton revealing how his testing initiation in the top grade with the Gold Coast had taught him to brush off constant transfer tittle tattle.

“When I was first up at the Gold Coast Titans, I had a lot of head noise back then,” Sexton said. 

“I used to worry a lot about external sources and I kind of realised that that doesn’t get me anywhere. 

“I realised by the end of my time with the Titans, I was playing first grade and we were losing.

“I was so worried about what the media was saying and what our fans were saying about me.

“Mentally I was in such a bad state. I feel like I’ve kind of worked out that there’s no point in focusing on it because you can’t control what they’re going to think and I feel like I’ve come a long way with that.”

Sexton said he didn’t even seek reassurances from Gould or Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo to find out if he remained in the club’s plans and said his future at Belmore lay in the hands of his manager.

The ex-Titans prodigy has done his prospects of securing a new deal at Canterbury no damage by spearheading the Bulldogs’ return to the top of the NRL ladder for the first time in close to a decade.

“We’re 4-0 at the moment, which is pretty special for this club,” Sexton said.

“We haven’t done it for a long time, so it’s cool to be a part of that at the moment.”

Bunnies certain Latrell can shine on edge

South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell will make his comeback from injury at left centre despite coach Wayne Bennett previously dismissing the idea. 

Veteran winger Alex Johnston missed training on Tuesday, with the rib injury he suffered in the defeat of Penrith forcing him out of the Bunnies’ Friday night grudge match against the Sydney Roosters.

Isaiah Tass and Mikaele Ravalawa will line up on the wings for Souths, while Jack Wighton switches to the right and will partner Mitchell in the centres.

Jye Gray remains at fullback, with Bennett rewarding the pocket rocket No.1 following an impressive opening month of form.

Gray is the surprise leader of the Dally M medal race through four rounds.

Mitchell’s practice stint at centre comes less than two weeks after Bennett refuted suggestions he could play there when he returned from the hamstring injury that sidelined him to begin 2025.

But Johnston’s subsequent injury gave the depleted Rabbitohs few options but to move Mitchell to the position at which he won two premierships with the Tricolours.

Outside back options Euan Aitken, Ty Munro and Campbell Graham are also injured, while fringe first-grade outside backs Fletcher Myers and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape trained with the reserves on Tuesday.

“Wherever (Mitchell) fits into our footy side, he’s going to do the job to the best of his ability,” said forward Jai Arrow.

Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I know if I’m playing Latrell, I wouldn’t like to see him at left centre, especially with the strike they’ve already got there.

“I’m sure if I’m (left winger) ‘Tassy’ this week, I’m licking my lips about scoring tries.”

Souths prop Junior Tatola was similarly supportive of Mitchell playing on the left side.

Some of the superstar’s best and most destructive performances have come at Test and State of Origin level in the left centre role.

“I’ve got the best seat in the house watching him do his thing on the edge there,” Tatola said.

“It’s awesome when he gets his hands on the ball. We’re just looking forward to having him back this week.”

Arrow said diminutive 21-year-old Gray deserved to have a spot in the Rabbitohs’ best 17 even when Souths were back at full strength. 

“He’s been pretty tremendous. We went to some schools yesterday and he was telling all the kids he’s the current Dally M leader,” Arrow said. “They had no idea what he was talking about but we did. It’s good to see him growing in confidence as a player.

“I’m sure Wayne would find a spot for him no matter what.”

with AAP