Rabbitohs seek legal advice over Latrell Mitchell saga ahead of South Sydney’s final game of the season

South Sydney are seeking legal advice over the Latrell Mitchell affair as they seek another chance to have the superstar fullback serve out his suspension in the final round of the NRL season.

Mitchell faces a one-match ban after being photographed with white powder. The NRL has told Mitchell he can only serve the suspension as long as he is fit to play.

The Rabbitohs have attempted to have Friday night’s match against the Sydney Roosters count as a game, having taken advice from three doctors that Mitchell is fit.

The NRL returned to the club on Wednesday asking for further evidence of Mitchell’s fitness, including an independent fitness test.

Mitchell did not train with his team-mates on Thursday and the Rabbitohs do not believe the 27-year-old needs to undergo another fitness test on his foot.

If Mitchell cannot serve his suspension this week, the problem will continue into the opening round of next season, Wayne Bennett’s first game back as Souths coach.

“We are seeking legal advice on the NRL’s request for further information and the proposed fitness test,” South Sydney CEO Blake Solly told AAP.

The drama arose after the Rabbitohs sent a letter to the NRL on Wednesday requesting that Mitchell be allowed to play on Friday night if he cannot serve his suspension.

Mitchell was suspended for one match and also fined $20,000 by the NRL following his ill-fated trip to Dubbo on the weekend of August 10-11

He would need an NRL exemption to do so, as he was not named in the Rabbitohs’ 22-player squad on Tuesday.

It is highly unlikely that an exemption will be granted.

Souths interim coach Ben Hornby had said last month that Mitchell would not play again this year, citing his injury and the Rabbitohs’ position on the ladder.

But when asked directly on Thursday whether Mitchell would be fit enough to play on Friday night if an exemption were granted, Hornby replied: ‘Yes’.

“It’s out of our hands now. It’s with the NRL and the club, and they’ll sort it out.

‘He would have been fit to play, but as I said a few weeks ago, it was always a wait-and-see situation.

“It’s now in the hands of the NRL and the club so there’s not much more to it (I can say).”

Mitchell has not played since injuring his foot against Penrith on July 4, which will see him wear a moon boot for almost a month.

During that period, South Sydney’s faint hopes of reaching the finals faded as the club dropped to fifteenth in the rankings.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has ruled out Mitchell playing for Australia in the Pacific Championships, meaning the fullback’s suspension will not be served there.

Mitchell was fined $20,000 by the NRL for the ban, while South Sydney also imposed a $100,000 fine, $80,000 of which was suspended.

Mitchell has not played since injuring his foot against Penrith on July 4

The Mitchell situation played out against a backdrop of tense relations between Souths and the NRL, culminating in Solly punching Andrew Abdo after the State of Origin series.

Abdo stressed this week that the NRL has not pressed for a loophole to allow Mitchell’s suspension to begin in early 2025. He said this suspension is different to others as the fullback was already injured before he was said to have brought the sport into disrepute.

Mitchell has confirmed he will play for Taree at the Koori Knockout in Bathurst during NRL Grand Final week.

“Latrell is fit and available to play,” Souths CEO Blake Solly told News Corp.

‘We support the tournament and all players who are fit, available and willing to play; we support them to take part.

“It’s an important event for them and for the community.”