Beware a fired up Latrell Mitchell.
That's the message for the Melbourne Storm players ahead of the highly anticipated Adelaide Oval clash with the Roosters.
Mitchell's omission from the NSW Blues side for Origin II raised plenty of eyebrows as coach Brad Fittler opted for Tom Trbojevic and Jack Wighton in the centres.
It means the star Rooster's sole dress rehearsal to try and win back his Origin berth for Game Three comes this Friday and Melbourne assistant coach Jason Ryles is wary of a motivated Mitchell.
"It's good timing to play Latrell this weekend isn’t it?" Ryles said sarcastically at AAMI Park on Tuesday.
"He is a handful at the best of times and I think it has been unwarranted a lot of the criticism that has been levelled towards him.
"Only six weeks ago he was the best player in the game.
"Having missed out on Origin you would imagine he would be ready for a big game in this one playing against us, so it is going to be a big challenge for us."
Mitchell was the hero for the Roosters in round six when he booted the match-winning field goal in golden point to help his team to a thrilling 21-20 victory over the Storm in Melbourne.
Since that night the Roosters have won just four of their next seven while Craig Bellamy's men have won six of seven to go four points clear on top.
Ryles is adamant the reigning premiers remain the team to beat in 2019 despite some recent hiccups.
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"I think the Roosters are still the benchmark team, especially when you look at their team list,” he said.
"They have a few guys missing, but the guys that they bring in are quality players as well.
"They certainly have a lot of depth and they are going to be a real good challenge for us this week."
Ryles said preparations had been difficult with only 14 players available at training on Monday ahead of their Origin and Test stars joining up with the remainder of the squad later in the week.
The Storm also have some further reinforcement on the way, with the club announcing the signings of Tongan international Solomone Kata and Titans forward Max King ahead of the June 30 deadline.
Kata is yet to arrive in Melbourne, but King flew in on Monday and was presented to the media on Tuesday ahead of his first training session with his new teammates.
King has made nine appearances off the bench for the Titans this season and is hoping to take his game to a new level under Bellamy.
"The culture here is really strong and for someone like me that prides themselves on their hard work, it is a great opportunity for me," King said.
"I think it is a real opportunity and I am really excited."
