Latrell Mitchell breaks his silence over white powder scandal as star fullback faces Souths board ahead of likely sanctions
- Was photographed in a hotel room in Dubbo with the powder
- Ny Breaking does not suggest illegal substances were involved
- Comes after a year full of injuries and suspensions
Beleaguered South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell has become chairman of the club’s board and has made his first public statement since a leaked image showing a mysterious white powder became public
Mitchell has been warned by the NRL not to commit the offence, likely to receive a one-game ban, and faces further sanctions from the South Sydney board following his ill-fated trip to Dubbo on the weekend of 10-11 August.
The star player made just 11 appearances for the club in 2024 due to injuries and suspensions, with his latest setback coming in the 18th round.
He had travelled to Dubbo to take part in a series of ‘personal appearances’ with team-mate Isaiah Tass during his injury-free period, and the photo was leaked shortly afterwards.
Ny Breaking Australia does not allege that illegal substances were involved.
However, South Sydney’s board are concerned about the return on investment after the star player signed a bumper five-year contract in 2022.
Mitchell has not spoken publicly since the photo was made public, but did issue a brief statement to the media after speaking on behalf of the Souths board.
“I just had a nice conversation with them,” Mitchell said.
“No comment, we’ll leave it with the board and move on with them. I’ll leave it with them and go home to my family now.”
“Please leave me alone in my house.”
When asked if further sanctions would be imposed, including the possible addition of conduct clauses to his contract, Mitchell remained tight-lipped.
“I don’t really know, to be honest, let’s just leave it at that,” he said.
Latrell Mitchell spoke briefly to the media for the first time since the white powder scandal broke
Mitchell was photographed in a hotel room in Dubbo with the white powder of unknown origin on the table in front of him
Head coach Wayne Bennett will return to Redfern next season after the club sacked Jason Demetriou earlier this year.
Although he still has commitments to The Dolphins in Queensland, he did offer to support Mitchell next season.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be there for him and I hope I can get them the help he needs,” Bennett said.
‘I haven’t approached him (now). I’m not coaching there at the moment. I’m not the coach there.
“I have responsibilities here. He’s in good hands at South Sydney and he’s a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell.
‘South Sydney will handle the matter. They are a great club and they will make it right with Latrell.
“Worry” is not the word I would use. I am not giving advice on the TV news today.
‘The club will sort it out… we just have to sort it out and move on.’
Mitchell has endured a season riddled with injuries and suspensions, having played just 11 games for South Sydney in 2024
Wayne Bennett will return to the Rabbitohs in 2025 and has pledged to help Mitchell get back to his best.
Although Mitchell has been out of form following his latest injury, interim manager Ben Hornsby confirmed before the club’s loss to Wests last weekend that fans will not see the star player again for the season.
“He won’t be playing football again this year,” Hornby said.
‘He missed two weeks of training because he was sick last week, so fitness-wise he won’t be back.
“It’s a bit of everything, but he missed two weeks of training, so you can’t get that back.”
Australian coach Mal Meninga has also ruled Mitchell out of the season-ending Pacific Championships against New Zealand and Tonga.
“At the moment we don’t know for sure where Latrell is. But I don’t think he’s played enough games and is in a good enough state of mind to be able to participate,” Meninga said.