Sydney Roosters fullback Michael Gordon has backed Latrell Mitchell to tough out the first lull on his burgeoning NRL career after his management refuted suggestions he's set to depart Bondi Junction.
After spending a fortnight in NSW Cup, the 19-year-old will make his return to first grade in the Roosters' clash with Parramatta at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Over the first nine weeks of the season Mitchell has ridden the rugby league rollercoaster - starting out in superlative form and being mentioned as a possible NSW Origin bolter before being relegated to duties with the Wyong Roos over the last two rounds.
While the sight of him running around in park football fuelled suggestions the boom youngster was looking to exit the club, his manager Steve Deacon knocked that suggestion on the head, saying he was staying put.
Mitchell gets his chance back in top grade after Shaun Kenny-Dowall was stood down for alleged drug offences.
Mitchell scored two tries for Wyong against the Warriors a fortnight ago and Gordon said he was impressed with how the young outside back had handled his demotion.
"I thought he might have been a bit rattled but he was really champing at the bit," Gordon said.
"He'll come back and he'll be firing and he'll be in a good head space."
Even after missing three games - through being rested and time in the NSW Cup - he still has five NRL tries to his name this year which is the equal most for the club and three off league top tryscorers James Roberts, Jordan Rapana and Suliasi Vunivalu.
Mitchell was burdened with significant hype and expectation before even making his first grade debut in round one last year and has been compared to South Sydney skipper and Queensland star Greg Inglis due to his size, speed and physique.
Gordon remains adamant Mitchell just needed to refresh mentally and learn how to deal with the ups and downs of professional rugby league.
"It's easy to come in and play a couple of good games but to do that week after week after week after week when you get bashed and you're losing and then you're winning, it's a rollercoaster," Gordon said.
"It's hard to get used to, even as an old fella. Sometimes it's frustrating and sometimes it's the time of your life."
