SEE LATRELL MITCHELL'S HEARTWARMING PRE-DAWN ACT HOURS AFTER HUGE STATE OF ORIGIN WIN FOR NSW
- Latrell Mitchell flew from Melbourne to Taree in NSW on Thursday
- NRL superstar was king of the kids at a junior footy clinic
- On Wednesday, starred for NSW Blues in their Origin win at MCG
Latrell Mitchell's love for his hometown Taree is well known in rugby league circles - and the locals also adore the NRL superstar.
Mitchell, 27, won even more fans after boarding a flight at 6.40am on Thursday from Melbourne to Taree, just hours after helping NSW square the Origin series against Queensland.
An estimated 100 kids were left starry-eyed as Mitchell passed on his wisdom at a junior footy clinic where it all began on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
'I love coming back,' Mitchell told Channel 9. 'It's good to get away, get a break – and this just fills my cup up again.'
Officials and parents from the Myall River Hawks Junior Rugby League Football Club showered Mitchell with praise on social media.
'Shout out to Latrell Mitchell,' the club posted on Facebook. 'Played Origin last night, flew into Taree this morning for a footy clinic with 100+ kids.'
'This is the pinnacle of rugby league, this guy deserves everyone's respect,' wrote an impressed Ryan Saunders.
'He could have easily rested today like the rest [of the Blues squad] but nope, instead he flew in early to make sure he's here for the kids.'
Terry Green added Mitchell was a 'true champion' for going above and beyond.
After three years in the Origin wilderness, Mitchell’s return to interstate representative arena was impressive.
He set up an early try for Brian To'o with a classy flick pass before crossing the stripe himself in the first half - and terrorised Maroons veteran Valentine Holmes all night.
The Origin decider is at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 17.
NSW last hoisted the shield in 2021 - while Maroons coach Billy Slater is chasing his third successive series win.
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