Latrell Mitchell finally reveals what really happened during his messy split with the Roosters, how he spent a year sleeping on a floor trying to crack the NRL – and the two clubs he loves to hit the most
- Latrell Mitchell left the Roosters in 2019
- Connected with Rabbitohs in bombshell movement
- Scouted by Tricolors of Central Coast Centurions
NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has revealed why he left the Roosters and how he spent a year sleeping on the floor at a relative’s house when he tried to break into the NRL as a starry-eyed young man.
The Rabbitohs full-back also confirmed the two rival clubs he likes to beat as they refused to give him a chance in the first division.
Mitchell, 25, reflected on his career ahead of the NRL’s Indigenous Round and previously revealed well-kept secrets about his time with the Tricolours.
After winning premierships in 2018 and 2019, Mitchell defected to the Rabbitohs in a smash move ahead of the 2020 season – admitting it was the hardest decision of his career.
“It was also a really weird situation, I went through two managers to get to where I am today… I honestly never really talked about it,” he said Fox Sports.
NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has revealed why he left the Roosters and how he spent a year sleeping on the floor at a relative’s home when he tried to break into the NRL
Mitchell (pictured, with partner Brielle Mercy after an Origin game for NSW) made his NRL debut in 2016 and is now one of the code’s superstars
“I wasn’t treated very well, but at the end of the day I had to get on with my life and move on.
‘It kind of made that relationship between the Roosters and me sour because of the communication barrier between manager and club.
But in the end I had to move on. If I’d had more time I’d certainly have done things differently, but I’m where I’m supposed to be.’
And that’s in South Sydney, where the fullback is a much-loved figure.
And while he has yet to secure a premiership, Mitchell will do everything he can to ensure that when he retires he enjoys the same esteem as club greats such as John Sattler and Sam Burgess.
Mitchell also hasn’t forgotten the hard times he had to endure to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Before breaking into the NRL, he spent 12 months sleeping on the floor at his uncle’s house on the NSW Central Coast as he pursued his lofty dreams.
The Roosters eventually called in soon after he scored three tries against them in a junior representative match at Sydney’s Henson Park – and the rest is history.
Mitchell won his second NRL premiership in 2019 after the Roosters beat the Raiders – and now he’s desperate for another win at Redfern
Mitchell then jumped to bitter rivals South Sydney in 2020 – and has now revealed the defections of the Bunnies’ biggest rivals
And now look away, Knights and Bulldogs fans – they are the two NRL sides Mitchell loves to beat year after year, after Newcastle overlooked the junior Taree and Canterbury officials – namely Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal – telling him he wasn’t good enough for the first place grade.
Mitchell is out of contract in 2027, but has no plans to leave the Rabbitohs.
He’s all about leaving a legacy, so life on his farm in Taree can remain a passion project for now.
It will be music to the ears of Bunnies supporters, who know that with Mitchell fit and shooting, the ‘pride of the league’ has the best chance of winning another NRL premiership.