- Latrell Mitchell has lost weight and is training hard
- Star showed up at training 8 kg lighter than normal
- The Bunnies full-back follows a very strict fitness regime
Latrell Mitchell has undergone a dramatic transformation this offseason. He returned to preseason training 8kg lighter than normal – and that’s thanks to two big changes in his life.
The erratic fullback has 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 not playing due to a footy injury since the Rabbitohs’ 32-16 defeat to the Eels on July 4.
While sidelined, Mitchell has taken every step to return to top fitness and prove to coach Wayne Bennett that he means business.
This week he showed up for preseason training weighing 107kg – about 8kg lighter than he usually is before preseason training begins.
Latrell Mitchell has returned to preseason training and is about 8kg lighter than he was during his difficult 2024 season
The Souths star’s new look is a dramatic departure from how he appeared when suspension, injury and his white powder scandal took their toll in 2024
South’s superstar has cut alcohol and processed foods from his diet – and as this photo of him with his family in the off-season shows, the results aren’t hard to see
His secret to losing weight is quite simple: diet and exercise.
According to News CorpMitchell has cut out all drinks and processed foods and focuses on eating lean meats, fruits and vegetables.
In early November, the Souths superstar demolished a bar in his home and turned it into a gym – with weights, yoga mats and a sauna.
The Bunnies plan to cut Mitchell down to around 102kg before Christmas, before boosting him to around 108kg with strength training at the start of the season.
Bennett, who reportedly gave the underperforming side a glowing review of their 2024 season, says he has no concerns about Mitchell.
“Latrell’s fitness won’t be a problem for me,” the coach said in October.
‘I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately, but if he’s on form that’s great to hear.
“He has been dealt with by the NRL and the club [over the white powder saga].
Latrell Mitchell showed off his impressive transformation during pre-season training for Souths on Wednesday (pictured)
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 (Mitchell is pictured after the gym equipment was delivered to his home)
‘I’m not there with Latrell at the moment, but in a month I will know a lot more about him.
“They are all professionals and Ben Hornby (interim coach) has done a great job late in the season.
“Souths were in a tough situation (after the sacking of coach Jason Demetriou) but they came out of it and they are a football team again.”
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.