- Rabbitohs lose patience with Latrell Mitchell
- Follows a series of incidents on and off the field in 2024
Embattled NRL star Latrell Mitchell could be fined as much as $250,000 by the Rabbitohs after his photo of white powder in a Dubbo hotel room angered club officials.
Mitchell, 27, also has until August 22 to respond to a notice of breach of the NRL’s code of conduct after the Integrity Unit investigated the matter.
If Mitchell admits the violation, the likely outcome is a one-game suspension, which he will have to serve in the first round of 2025, and a fine of approximately $20,000 for bringing the sport into disrepute.
South Sydney will then impose its own sanctions, which are expected to be severe.
Mitchell has a contract worth about $1 million per season — and he could lose up to a quarter of that if angry officials punish him severely, according to News Corp.
He is expected to be given a final warning and have his contract reviewed with a set of strict codes of conduct that he must adhere to.
For Mitchell it is a season to forget, having played just 11 games for the Rabbitohs due to injuries and suspensions.
With many pundits believing the Bunnies were Premier League heavyweights before a ball was ever kicked, the Bunnies will miss out on the NRL’s top eight again after coach Jason Demetriou was sacked in April.
Troubled NRL star Latrell Mitchell could be fined as much as $250,000 by the Rabbitohs after his photo of the white powder reportedly sent the furious club over the edge. Ny Breaking Australia does not suggest the powder was an illegal drug
Mitchell, 27, has until Thursday to respond to a notice from the NRL of a breach
Wayne Bennett will return as South Sydney coach in 2025 and has promised to take superstar Latrell Mitchell (pictured together in 2020) under his wing
Mitchell has courted controversy at times, receiving a three-game ban 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 following the Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam racism saga.
Add to that his abusive post-match interview with Triple M, followed by his public spat with NRL 360 presenter Braith Anasta in a Sydney restaurant, and it’s understandable that the club’s management have had enough.
‘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 club as head coach in 2025 could go a long way towards ensuring Mitchell is not sacked.
They have a close bond and Bennett is looking forward to working with the Indigenous role model again.
I will be there for him and I hope I can give them [South Sydney] “He’s getting the help he needs,” Bennett said recently.
‘I have responsibilities here [at the Dolphins]. He’s in good hands and he’s a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell.
“South Sydney will handle the matter. They are a great club and they will make it right with Latrell.”