Why Phil Gould says Latrell Mitchell could RETIRE soon – as Rabbitohs ‘hit controversial star with a ban he will NOT like’

NRL identity Phil Gould fears Latrell Mitchell could retire from the sport as he doubts the Rabbitohs superstar truly loves the game.

Mitchell, 26, was banned for three matches by the NRL match review committee after slamming his forearm into Shaun Johnson’s face during South Sydney’s heavy defeat to the Warriors last Saturday.

While he is suspended, fed-up club officials have told Mitchell he cannot go to his farm in Taree on the NSW north coast, where he often goes to escape the pressures of the sport.

It is understood Mitchell has been ordered to remain in Sydney as his coach Jason Demetriou is sacked following a nightmarish start to the NRL season which saw the club record just one win in the opening five rounds.

With Mitchell constantly in the spotlight, Bulldogs supremo Gould said the native star could be lost to the sport.

It comes after 26-year-old Mitchell was banned for three matches after slamming his forearm into Shaun Johnson’s face during last Saturday’s heavy defeat to the Warriors.

While suspended, fed-up club officials reportedly told Mitchell he cannot go to his farm in Taree on the NSW mid-north coast (pictured)

“Has anyone ever sat Latrell and said, ‘Do you really want to play this game?'” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Foot.

‘Are you really in love with this game? Do you like hard work? Do you like the discipline? Do you love your teammates? Do you like the club? …or do I just do it because I’m good at it – but I do it my own way.

“Did anyone actually sit him down and say if you had the chance to walk away, you would? I think he would.

“I think so, but I don’t see him being in love with it.”

Gould also questioned Mitchell’s work ethic on the field.

‘We’ve been saying this to him for a few years. He plays at his own pace, he plays in his own style and in his own way. He picks and chooses his times. And he doesn’t put a lot of work into the effort areas of the game,” he said.

“The game is standing up for him and everyone is standing up for him, but Latrell is not responding.

With Mitchell constantly in the spotlight, Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould questioned the star’s work ethic on the field

‘The problem is that he is an elite talent, an incredible talent, he can change the game, he can influence the results.

“He has little moments in games where things come his way, but he doesn’t go looking for work, he doesn’t go looking for big moments and sometimes it seems like he’s not where he should be at different times… that also lets his team down.’

It comes as ex-NRL star and commentator Michael Ennis urged Mitchell to remain in Sydney and lead by example in training in the coming weeks – while former NRL hardman Paul Gallen pointed out the fullback’s obvious passion for community work.

Mitchell, the NRL’s most polarizing identity, recently took time out to fly to Moree in northern NSW with South Sydney teammate Cody Walker as they helped launch a program in an effort to reduce youth crime in the area to push.

Mitchell also visited Kempsey in the off-season and launched the Fight for Success program in partnership with the local PCYC on the mid-north coast of NSW.