- Star’s professionalism is now widely questioned
- Rabbitohs have lost their first two games of 2024
- Coach Jason Demetriou is already under pressure
Latrell Mitchell’s professionalism has been called into question after the Rabbitohs full-back was reportedly absent from a Las Vegas club until 2am, two days before the side’s season-opening match against the Sea Eagles.
The development will anger many South Sydney fans who are looking for answers after back-to-back defeats this season.
Mitchell, 26, was already under fire following his expletive-laden post-match interview with Triple M on live radio following the team’s loss to the Broncos on March 14.
He also raised eyebrows after declaring he “didn’t care” how much he swore during the controversial interview.
News of Mitchell partying in Sin City 48 hours before a match has reportedly infuriated Bunnies club officials – and on Monday night Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould branded the native star as selfish.
Latrell Mitchell’s professionalism has been called into question after it emerged the Rabbitohs full-back was absent from a Las Vegas club until 2am, two days before the side’s season-opening match.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday, footy supremo Phil Gould declared Mitchell needs to ‘respect’ the game more
“I said very early in his career, if you don’t align him (now), you’ll never be able to do that… and I think Latrell Mitchell has become bigger than some of the people who try to do that. to keep him under control,” Gould said on Channel Nine 100% Foot.
‘For Latrell, the only advice I have at the moment is: if he wants to be open, if he wants to be heard – and he wants that too, then he demands respect from everyone on all kinds of fronts, he speaks out. openly about a number of issues, demanding respect – you must also show (yourself) respect.
‘I’m not worried about the swear word… it doesn’t offend me, but at that moment, in that place on that stage, you don’t swear, it’s that simple.
“For him to do that is a total lack of respect, a lack of respect for his teammates, for the game, for the media… and the people listening at home who want to see how he felt after that game.”
Gould added that it is important that Mitchell realizes he is not bigger than the game – despite the fullback declaring on Instagram on Monday that there was ‘no intent or malice’ in the Brisbane incident and that it is time for everyone to ‘to go on’.
He also escaped NRL sanctions, which was a puzzling outcome in the eyes of many commentators and fans.
Mitchell’s teammates have tried to address their 0-2 start to the NRL season themselves, setting up an internal curse jar as a light-hearted way to hold players accountable.
“Trell has a few bucks to spend,” offseason recruit Jack Wighton said Monday.
“Obviously he shouldn’t have said it so often, but it was a slip of the tongue.”
Mitchell has come under fire after his use of foul language on live radio following the Broncos defeat – he also escaped NRL sanctions
Captain Cameron Murray shrugged off the incident at Suncorp Stadium as the Rabbitohs look ahead to Friday’s grudge match against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
“I didn’t see much wrong with it,” he said.
“I know he’s a passionate man and I know he just wants to win.
‘What we do very well at this club is enable people to be themselves. But I know that if he had his time again, he would probably be a little more selective in the words he chooses.”