‘I don’t care if I’m swearing’: Latrell Mitchell slammed over expletive-laden interview

Latrell Mitchell was shown up by Reece Walsh on Thursday night but post-match, the Souths fullback has been slammed over a disrespectful act.

Latrell Mitchell has been accused of disrespect after an expletive-laden interview following South’s 28-18 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.

While opposite No. 1 Reece Walsh had a night out, Mitchell had a night largely to forget, badly beaten on both of Walsh’s tries.

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Mitchell claimed one of his own after the game was already done — bringing up the 100th of his career — racing 50m and showing what he can do.

He shared a tender moment on the Suncorp Stadium turf with Walsh as both men began to cramp.

But while there was plenty of criticism of his performance, Mitchell’s post-match interview with Triple M has been slammed after his expletive laden performance.

He spoke with Ben Dobbin post-game about what happened as Souths blew a second half comeback to fall 0-2 for the season.

“It’s alright mate, honestly f**k … It was s**t,” Mitchell began.

“In the first bit, just a hard game f**k, we showed what we were about. Honestly, they’re big boys, they’re competitors. No wonder why they come runner up last year so f**k, they’re building on that.

“I don’t care if I’m swearing boys, honestly.”

Latrell said "I don't care if I'm swearing" during his expletive laden interview. Photo: Triple M

It was a bad way to end a bad night for Latrell. Picture: NRL Photos

When talking about his try scoring feat, Mitchell added: “But I’m very happy, scored 100 tries so that’s something to celebrate tonight. Yeah, everyone doesn’t give a f**k but anyways,” he added laughing.

Sports website The Sporting Base’s NRL page tweeted: “It’s disappointing when he knows kids are listening and he says he doesn’t care that he’s swearing.

“Be better.”

While some, including WWOS’ The Mole responded: “In Latrell’s defence. it’s after 10pm on a Thursday night … most little kids are in bed …” and others questioned how many kids would be listening to Triple M’s coverage at 10pm on a Thursday, plenty more piled on.

In response to The Mole, Sporting Base added: “There’s a difference between accidentally dropping a bomb in a live interview and knowingly doing it and telling everyone you don’t care while continuing to do it.

“Not what a role model should be doing.”

The Daily Telegraph columnist The Oracle added: “Absolutely no defence.

“Are you kidding me? How many on field interviews has Latrell done in 9 years?” The Oracle added.

“He doesn't care that he’s swearing but happy he has scored 100 tries.

“Not sure what to make of this? Is he making a statement?”

Not a great look for one of the faces of the game. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Another fan wrote: “If I were south’s coach, he’d get the hook effective immediately. If I were a teammate, I’d be fuming. Not for his classless display of public profanity, but for being so thrilled & happy for himself after his sides loss.”

Another commented: “Right there!!!!!! Why swear??? Shows complete lack of respect. Children would have been listening and watching. shows the poor attitude shown by entire club right now!!!!”

Another posted: “He says he doesn’t care if he’s swearing? Well he damn well should if he’s on TV or radio or whatever. Kids look at him as a role model & mimic this behaviour not good enough Latrell.”

Despite bringing up his 100th try, it was tough night for Mitchell.

Speaking post-match on Channel 9, Paul Vautin said his last minute try gave the Rabbitohs fans a taste of what they wanted when the match was still alive.

“He’s a player that can do that. He … probably is, the best player at this club [but] Souths fans are screaming, for him and at him, ‘C’mon Latrell, C’mon, have a run’,” Vautin said.

“We know what he is capable of — we see this all the time but it unfortunately doesn’t happen enough for the Souths’ fans liking.”

The lowlight of the night for Mitchell came with the game in the balance at 16-12 and 18 minutes left when a horrible bounce handed Walsh his second try of the night.

Walsh orchestrated a line break down the Rabbitohs’ right edge and he was there on the end of it when Jesse Arthurs kicked the ball infield from the wing.

Mitchell was in position to secure the Steeden, but his aggressive attempt to take the ball on the full ended up as a messy half volley and it went straight past him.

Latrell Mitchell was not on speaking terms with the rub of the green. Photo: Fox League.

Latrell Mitchell got nowhere near Reece Walsh. Photo: Fox League.

To make matters worse the ball turned sharply from the bounce and straight into Walsh’s lap.

Despite Latrell running 18 times for 171m compared to Walsh’s 15 runs for 126m, it was clear the Broncos fullback was the best player on the ground with Mitchell getting a lions share of the criticism.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou labelled the entire night a “horror show” as the visitors found every way in the book to shoot themselves in the foot.

Simple errors early in sets, poor passing putting teammates in the firing line, and an unnecessary sin bin for Damien Cook after he crowded Adam Reynolds and pushed him over after a line break played against the Rabbitohs.

The side also gave away two blocker obstruction penalties and gave the Broncos field position after halfback Lachlan Ilias kicked the ball into the back of his own player for an accidental off-side.

They even lost a scrum against the feed.

Originally published as ‘I don’t care if I’m swearing’: Latrell Mitchell slammed over expletive-laden interview