South Sydney celebrity Latrell Mitchell has made his first press convention look in virtually two years, declaring his loyalty lies with the Rabbitohs and addressing his self-imposed media blackout.
Mitchell — arguably the code’s most charming star and one in all its proudest Indigenous voices — has stored a low profile for the previous two seasons.
Teammates Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi have been scheduled to talk to media at Tuesday’s weekly interview alternative, however to the shock of the press pack, Mitchell fronted up.
Latrell Mitchell breaks his silence
The 28-year-old had not spoken publicly about his sport or his profession for the reason that 2024 season, when he was photographed leaning over a desk with a white powder in a motel in Dubbo.
In the identical season, Mitchell additionally courted controversy by giving an expletive-laden post-match interview on radio station Triple M.
He was fined by his membership and the NRL and served a one-match suspension over the Dubbo incident, however didn’t wish to talk about the fallout on Tuesday.
“We’ll depart that one,” Mitchell stated.
Latrell Mitchell has scored 11 tries in eight video games for South Sydney this season, together with a four-try efficiency towards the Dragons. (Getty Pictures: Cameron Spencer)
In Mitchell’s defence, he has let his soccer do the speaking to start out this yr.
Souths (5-3) sit fourth heading into Saturday’s assembly with Cronulla, and Mitchell has been again to his dominant finest, scoring 11 tries in eight video games.
“Not speaking to you [the media], that is most likely why (my type’s been so good) … I believed I might come out and have a yarn,” Mitchell stated.
He stated he selected to interrupt his silence to rejoice the a hundred and fiftieth NRL recreation milestone of Campbell Graham, and stated his outing of the highlight had helped him mature.
“I reckon I’ve made myself that to be sincere,” Mitchell stated.
“There’s my household. I’ve obtained to be a pacesetter there and switch myself into a task mannequin for my youngsters.
“For me it is all about giving again to them and exhibiting them that you have to maintain doing what it is advisable do and never kick stones and get on with the job.”
The transformation in Mitchell’s fortunes could be attributed to his positional swap.
He had primarily performed as a fullback in his earlier seasons on the Bunnies, however in 2026 has reverted to centre — the place the place he received two premierships with the Sydney Roosters.
“It has been good, I approached Wayne [Bennett] and I simply stated to him that I simply wish to be a crew participant,” Mitchell stated.
“Wherever that’s for you Wayne, I will do it, I will play entrance row for him.”
There was a thought among the many press pack gathered at Heffron Park on Tuesday that Mitchell would announce a contract extension when there was a loud cheer from the Bunnies’ assembly room.
Mitchell is off contract on the finish of 2027 — the season earlier than the PNG Chiefs enter the NRL — and his agent Warwick “Wok” Wright was current at Souths’s Maroubra coaching base earlier within the day.
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Wright was the agent who facilitated Jarome Luai’s transfer to the Chiefs, however Mitchell performed a straight bat.
“Who’s that? Is {that a} crew?” Mitchell retorted when requested about curiosity from the Chiefs.
“South Sydney is the place it is at.”
Mitchell is taken into account a shoo-in for NSW choice and endured a down yr at State of Origin stage — he has seven tries in 11 Blues video games — however did not cross the road final season when Queensland claimed a 2-1 collection victory.
“I really like the Blues, it is NSW, it is what we signify,” Mitchell stated.
AAP
