Latrell Mitchell experiment reportedly over as Jye Gray set to be handed the No. 1 jersey
Wayne Bennett is set to pull the trigger on one of the biggest positional shifts in South Sydney’s recent history, moving Latrell Mitchell out of fullback to make room for rising star Jye Gray.
According to Code Sports, Bennett will hand the 21-year-old the Rabbitohs’ No.1 jersey for 2026 after his breakout 2025 campaign, while Mitchell will shift to centre in a major backline reshuffle.
It comes as Gray weighs up a lucrative $2.4 million offer from breakaway rugby competition R360, which could see him leave Redfern at the end of next season.
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Bennett ready to back Gray
Gray is contracted with Souths until the end of 2026 but can negotiate with rivals from November 1 unless a new deal is finalised.
In a bid to secure his long-term future, Bennett is reportedly set to give Gray the fullback role permanently while reconfiguring his backline to keep Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Campbell Graham all in the starting side.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is expected to train at centre during the pre-season.
It’s a significant shift after a frustrating season in which the Rabbitohs won just two of seven games with Mitchell at fullback.
The 27-year-old was limited to only 11 matches due to injuries, suspensions and Origin duties.
Gray’s rise too good to ignore
Gray’s performances at fullback late in the season were a bright spot for Souths, helping them win three of their final four games.
Earlier in the year, he even led the Dally M Medal count before injury struck, underlining his growing influence in the NRL.
The move has already drawn support from NRL greats including Greg Alexander, who told SEN the positional switch could unlock the best of both players.
“I think it’s worth Latrell playing in the centres to try and get more footy out of him,” Alexander said.
League reporter Michael Carayannis agreed, suggesting the move makes sense for both form and fitness reasons.
“It’s two-fold … the form of Jye Gray, who’s become a must-pick in that starting side, and the fact that Latrell’s body shows that he’s not up to the rigours of playing week-in, week-out NRL games at fullback,” Carayannis said.