- Mitchell attacked the hip-drop tackle in the team’s win over Parramatta
- He was charged with a degree one charge Sunday morning
- Mitchell is available for selection for NSW in the state of origin
Latrell Mitchell is available for selection for NSW in State of Origin after escaping with a penalty for a hip-drop tackle in South Sydney’s NRL win over Parramatta.
Mitchell was targeted late in the first half of the Rabbitohs’ 42-26 win on Saturday after pulling up from the bunker for a tackle on Eels center Sean Russell.
He was handed a grade one charge after the match review on Sunday morning, but can escape with a $3,000 fine if he pleads guilty.
Mitchell’s availability at Origin has been a point of discussion all season after rumors emerged that he wanted to prioritize playing for South Sydney.
But when Mitchell was asked on Saturday evening if he was available for selection, interim Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby intervened and said the full-back was.
‘All our players are available. If NSW wants them, they’re there,” Hornby said.
“I expect Latrell and Cody (Walker) to make the team. They are players who are good enough and they have already shown that before they should be in the team.
“I know who I wouldn’t want to play against if I were playing.”
Mitchell responded to Hornby’s comments, saying “100 percent.”
The 26-year-old is battling it out with Zac Lomax, Jesse Ramien and Matt Burton for the left center position in NSW.
He has not played against Origin since 2021, when he was close to NSW’s best in their most recent series victory.
Mitchell has since missed the 2022 and 2023 series due to injury.
Footy fans were left frustrated by the decision to send Mitchell off in the match.
“How’s that a hip drop? Absolute bullshit,” one fan posted on X.
“On Friday night Val Holmes was thrown away for nothing, now Trell Mitchell is thrown away for nothing. What happens to our great match,” said another.
Footy commentator Warren Smith was also incredulous at the decision, saying: ‘Latrell Mitchell is outraged. He can’t believe it and, honestly, neither can you or me.’