NSW have been dealt a brutal blow with Latrell Mitchell ruled out of the series opener with a calf injury two days before kick off.
In a statement, NSWRL confirmed the injury took place on Sunday with scans revealing a minor calf strain.
Panthers gun Stephen Crichton will replace him in the centres while Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton has been called in as 18th man.
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Fox Sports News reporter Cody Kaye revealed it was Mitchell who made the call to withdraw from the game.
“My understanding is after speaking to the Blues that Latrell actually ruled himself out,” he said.
“It was a soft calf, he felt more of a niggle more than anything else. He slept on it overnight and…
