NSW’s Entire Hope Apparently Rests On A Koori Star; Mob Note The Irony Runs Thick

With the Origin decider looming and NSW reportedly losing all hope — this time without Latrell Mitchell — First Nations league fans observed a familiar irony.

“So NSW’s hope hinges on Latrell, a proud Koori fella, and without him they’re in despair,” said Aunty Deb Saunders, of Logan, grinning. “Bub, there’s something rich about a state pinning its whole dream on an Aboriginal star — leaning on Blak brilliance to save the day — when off the field this country isn’t always so quick to back our mob. On the field: ‘please, Latrell, carry us.’ Off it: a different tune entirely.”

She enjoyed it thoroughly. “When he’s in, there’s hope. When he’s out, the sky falls. That’s the power of one deadly player. The whole of New South Wales, praying for a Koori man to come good. We’ll allow it.”

Aunty Deb kept it warm. “Latrell’s a gun and the game knows it. I just like the picture: a state that leans on First Nations excellence when the chips are down. Imagine backing us like that all year round, bub — not just when there’s a shield on the line. Up the deadly mob. True god.”