- Latrell Mitchell ‘acknowledged his actions’ after his suspension
- Handed out a three-match suspension after raising his elbow
- Rabbitohs are desperate to revive their stuttering season
- Coach Jason Demetriou will likely be moved
An ‘apologetic’ Latrell Mitchell has discussed his costly three-match suspension with teammates, while Rabbitoh’s players say they must take more responsibility as pressure continues to mount on coach Jason Demetriou, who is fighting to save his job.
The first five weeks of the season could not have gone worse for a club that was leading the league after eleven rounds a year ago, but now sits at the foot of the table with just one win.
According to reports, Demetriou has one game to save his job, with the club looking to make a coaching change during next week’s farewell match.
The coach can only do so much, and his talented group of players have not helped him with their performances. Mitchell’s suspension comes at the worst possible time with games against the Sharks, Storm and Panthers looming.
The star full-back was reported twice during the horror loss to the Warriors, with Mitchell issued a lifting notice and suspended for three games for a raised elbow that hit Shaun Johnson in the face.
An ‘apologetic’ Latrell Mitchell has discussed his three-match ban with teammates as Rabbitohs players try to salvage their season
Demetriou called out the “stupid acts” after the match, and teammate Siliva Havili revealed on Tuesday that Mitchell had discussed the ban with the players.
“Trell addressed that. He has taken responsibility for his actions and he has said what he said to us as a playing group as the leader of this team,” he said, as Mitchell trained with the reserves on Tuesday.
“We are all on board with what happened.
“Everything Latrell says is huge, especially with a lot of young players in the team. Just hearing that from him – especially since he’s the leader of the team – we know he has our backs and we have his back.
“He was absolutely apologetic for what happened. A lot of things are happening around Latrell.
“He’s a big name in our game and one of the best in our game, so everything he says we listen to.
“He’s still in love with the game. Not so long ago he had his best preseason.
“This is what happens when you lose: you get a lot of pressure on your back, and as the star player of our team, he will be the one to take the brunt.”
Jack Wighton was in no mood to answer questions about Latrell Mitchell during a media session on Tuesday
Great friend Jack Wighton was in no mood to discuss Mitchell’s actions.
“If you want to ask Latrell questions, you can talk to Trell,” Wighton snapped.
‘I’m here to talk about myself and what I can do for the team.
“I’m a partner (of his) and a partner protects a partner by not talking about him.”
The former Raider has been more willing to discuss his coach’s future, with Wighton likely not expecting this kind of upheaval when he came to South Sydney.
“We’re all behind him,” Wighton said.
‘No one likes to lose. We’re only in one of those patches yet, but we’re looking forward to it.
Jason Demetriou’s stint as Rabbitohs head coach could soon be over if they don’t beat the Sharks
‘I cannot comment on the conversation. All I can do is my job. We have his back, and everyone in that building has his back.”
Youngster Jye Gray is an exciting addition at full-back this weekend, but the debutant cannot save a team that could look a little different, with Peter Mamouzelos expected to start at hooker against Cronulla.
Damien Cook is likely to come off the bench in training.
“Any pressure will always come back to the coach with the start we’ve had,” Havili said.
But realistically, we are the ones on the pitch putting a lot of pressure, not just on him, but on ourselves.
‘We make the mistakes, we are the ones who don’t give ourselves the chance to play the kind of football we are capable of.
‘That is the responsibility we bear as players.’