"I'll give myself eight years until I'm 30 and then see where I'm at. Cooper has got the mental capacity to keep going that long. I couldn't do it. "It takes a toll on you. Starting at 18 [physically] you feel it from there. Your body does get used to it. I'll leave politics to the people more educated in that area ... I'm educated in rugby league "But I know the old fellas are cheering at the end of their careers, they've done everything they can do to set themselves up. I know they're happy, they're creating beautiful families and enjoy the rest of their lives. That's all I want. "I'll try to buy as many places or investments so I've got the money there and then I can do what I want."

Mitchell says he will leave Sydney as soon as he retires and has no interest in pursuing politics despite his passion for equality and his very public stance at calling out racism this year. The level of abuse directed at Mitchell online has taken an emotional toll. "I'll leave politics to the people more educated in that area ... I'm educated in rugby league," he said. Latrell Mitchell. Credit:Nicholas Walker It has been a rollercoaster year for Mitchell, who produced one of the greatest individual performances of the season against Wests Tigers, played in the first match of the State of Origin series before being dropped and then finished as the competition's top point scorer and the Dally M centre of the year. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has him pencilled in for a centre spot for Australia's upcoming two Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.

"Accolades come because you play good footy, but if there's nothing left, I've still got footy, and I love playing footy," Mitchell said. "I enjoy it and I get to play with some of the greats, your Tedescos, Kearys, Cronks, 'Moz' [Brett Morris]. Joey Manu I played juniors with and now I get to play in another grand final with him. "Buying houses and setting myself up, that's the goal. You get to make money out of what you love. You can't beat it." Roosters chairman Nick Politis knows Mitchell is destined to improve given he is only four years into his first-grade career. Should he remain fit, Mitchell will go close to playing 300 NRL games by the time he reaches 30. "He's 22 and will only get better with age," Politis said.

"He's got so much potential, he's just starting out on his journey to the top." As for the question of how long Mitchell may play on for, Politis said: "It comes back to the individual and it depends on how hungry they want to stay." Loading Mitchell is signed until the end of next year and expected to sit down with Politis and the Roosters in the coming weeks to try and thrash out a new deal. The interest in him was intense midway through the year with South Sydney along with Canterbury, who were reportedly prepared to table a $11 million 10-year deal. Newcastle is another cashed up club and closer to Mitchell's family in Taree.