NRL great Andrew Johns reveals he wishes Newcastle pulled him into line during his playing days – as he issues warning to troubled South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell

NRL legend Andrew Johns has admitted he ‘just kept going’ while playing for the Knights and urged Latrell Mitchell not to go down the same path.

This comes after the Rabbitohs fullback was issued a warning by the NRL Integrity Unit after allegedly breaching the sport’s code of conduct.

Mitchell was also issued a warning by the Rabbitohs, announcing possible sanctions from the club following the white powder scandal, when a photo emerged of the star leaning over a table with a white substance on it at a Dubbo hotel.

Daily Mail Australia does not claim the substance was an illegal drug.

He is expected to accept the NRL’s one-match suspension and $20,000 fine. The Indigenous role model will next appear before the South Sydney board next week, where he is expected to be handed a further fine.

Johns, who has admitted to drug and alcohol abuse throughout his adult life, managed to avoid detection by the NRL’s drug testers throughout his successful career.

He wants Mitchell to be held accountable for his behavior, despite his superstar status.

“There are times when I look back and wish I had slapped myself in the face, considering the mistakes I made,” Johns told Wide World of Sports.

This comes after the Rabbitohs fullback was issued a warning by the NRL Integrity Unit after allegedly breaching the sport’s code of conduct.

Mitchell was subsequently given a warning by the Rabbitohs following the white substance scandal that broke out in a Dubbo hotel room, where a photo emerged of the star leaning over a table with a white substance on it (see photo).

‘But I find it difficult to sit here and comment because I don’t want to come across as a hypocrite.

‘Anyone who thinks that the same rules apply to everyone in rugby league or any team sport is mistaken.’

Fellow NRL legend Brad Fittler added that his own reckless behaviour was called out by his teammates when necessary, but he does not believe Mitchell is accountable to anyone at South Sydney.

Mitchell played just 11 NRL games this season before being sidelined with a foot injury.

He is often a magnet for controversy. He was banned for three games after elbowing Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson in the final minutes. He was then embroiled in a spat with Anthony Mundine that dragged on for weeks after the Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam racism saga.

When you factor in Mitchell’s swearing post-match interview on Triple M, followed by his public spat with NRL 360 presenter Braith Anasta in a Sydney restaurant, it’s understandable that the Bunnies’ club executives want to see drastic changes.

‘Trell Mit’ helped the NSW Blues win the Origin series with a convincing performance in the second match at the MCG. However, he was injured in an incident against the Eels which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Wayne Bennett’s return to the Rabbitohs as head coach in 2025 could be a boon for Mitchell.

The two have a close bond and Bennett is looking forward to working with the full-back again.

I will be there for him and I hope I can give them [South Sydney] “He’s getting the help he needs,” he said recently.

“He’s in good hands and he’s a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell.”