- The South Sydney Rabbitohs are back to preparing for the season
- The team wants to make a fast start after a bad 2024
- Latrell Mitchell was a star in practice
Latrell Mitchell showed an impressive off-field transformation as he returned to pre-season training with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Wednesday.
The fullback appears to have been working hard on his fitness in recent months following a white powder scandal that saw the NRL hand the 27-year-old a one-match ban and $20,000 fine.
He will serve that suspension at the start of next season, with the footy star having not played since the Rabbitohs’ 32-16 defeat to the Eels on July 4 with a foot injury.
While sidelined, Mitchell appears to have taken every step towards returning to top fitness.
Reports recently suggested he has lost at least 10 pounds this offseason in his bid to prove to coach Wayne Bennett that he means business.
Latrell Mitchell showed off an impressive transformation as he was pictured during pre-season training on Wednesday
Mitchell played 11 games for the Rabbitohs last season but was ruled out from July 4 due to a foot injury
Mitchell recently revealed that he has made several lifestyle changes to become fitter and healthier, most notably demolishing a bar in his home and replacing it with a gym.
According to News Corp, he has also turned his home into a training base, with the 27-year-old, who has given up drinking alcohol, demolishing a bar in his home and turning it into a gym instead.
It’s understood he’s outfitted his new home gym with weights, yoga mats and a sauna.
Following the end of Souths’ 2024 season, Bennett had ripped into the Rabbitohs for their recent form, criticizing them for their work ethic, dedication and fitness, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“Wayne hasn’t beat around the bush,” a source close to the outlet said.
Bennett had signed a three-year deal earlier this year to return to the Rabbitohs after parting ways with the Dolphins.
And it appears the new coach has pushed his players hard in their pre-season training camp, with several stars including Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham put through their paces during the session.
Mitchell looked thin as he was pictured sprinting up and down the training pitch.
League great Corey Parker has praised Mitchell for his recent transformation after commenting on several photos the Souths star recently published on Instagram.
‘I saw some pictures recently…he looked extremely well groomed. He looked fit,” Parker said on SEN Radio.
‘Hopefully there are still great things in the pipeline. Wayne clearly had a conversation with him. But I don’t mind that I didn’t hear Latrell come out and say things. Keep your nose down, Latrell.”
Bennett, meanwhile, said he is not concerned about Mitchell’s fitness.
“Latrell’s fitness won’t be a problem for me,” the coach said.
Mitchell was banned after this image went viral, leading to a club and NRL investigation
Returning coach Wayne Bennett (right) says it’s great to hear the Bunnies star is in good form
‘I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately, but if he’s on form that’s great to hear.
‘I saw some pictures recently…he looked extremely well groomed. He looked fit,” Parker said on SEN Radio.
The Rabbitohs will be hoping they can give their best this season after slumping to finish second from bottom on the NRL ladder after losing 17 games last season.
It was a far cry from their efforts in 2021 and 2022, when the Bunnies first reached the grand final before being knocked out in the preliminary final the following year.