Feb 25th, 2020

Feb 25th, 2020

Latrell Mitchell won't be an overnight superstar at fullback, according to James Tedesco, while Cooper Cronk says he'll have to work harder than before to succeed.

Mitchell will play No.1 for South Sydney for the first time in Saturday night's Charity Shield after being named there by the Rabbitohs on Tuesday.

He played fullback as a junior and started there 16 times for the Roosters in 2016 before NSW and Australia No.1 Tedesco arrived in 2018.

Both Tedesco and Cronk believe their former Sydney Roosters teammate can star in the role but reckon he faces a challenge to adapt after being the world's best centre.

Latrell Mitchell (Getty)

"With fullback you've got to be on the ball every minute of play," Tedesco said at Fox League's season launch.

"It's not that easy just to transition and become a gun straightaway.

"It's going to take him time but it's about being on the ball and supporting and repeat efforts. That's probably the hardest thing about fullback.

"But once he (gets used to it), there's no reason why he can't really excel in that position."

While Mitchell was linked to numerous clubs in the summer, he eventually landed at the Rabbitohs in January.

"For me, he is not a fullback."

The move allows him to play fullback given he had Tedesco ahead of him at the Tri-colours.

But Cronk claims it is the Rabbitohs who will benefit more than Mitchell, after losing Greg Inglis and half their starting pack from last year.

"Souths needed Latrell more than Latrell needed Souths," Cronk told AAP.

"He was obviously in a situation where that contract came up.

"But Souths have lost (Sam) Burgess, (George) Burgess, (John) Sutton and moved Cam Murray to an edge.

"And Damien Cook needs quick play-the-balls to do his thing so (halves) Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker can jump off the back. Latrell brings those."

Cronk joins GWS Giants

Cronk believes Mitchell's benefit will be two-fold, after providing quick play-the-balls on kick returns.

He can also provide Walker opportunities at five-eighth, drawing the eyes of defenders as he looms as an attacking option.

But the champion halfback also warned that it won't be easy.

"There is no doubt he has to work harder than he has the past few years," Cronk said.

"He's going to touch the ball 20 times from fullback, have 20 carries, as opposed to in the centre position where he touched the ball 10 times.

"He needs to work to build up a base where he is as effective from his first touch to his last like James Tedesco or Tom Trbojevic.

"But of course (he can succeed there); he is one of the most talented players in the competition."

©AAP2020