NRL Integrity Unit investigating a photograph of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell

South Sydney and the NRL are aware of a leaked photograph of injured superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and what appears to be a white substance.

The NRL integrity unit is making inquiries into a leaked photograph of one of its biggest stars, Latrell Mitchell, showing him lent over a table with what appears to be a white substance.

The photo, which was circulated on Monday, was apparently taken over the weekend.

In the photo, the South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback appears to have his face down near the table and the white substance. There is no suggestion that the white substance is an illicit drug.

An unidentified blonde woman is also seen in the foreground of the image.

Both South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly and Mitchell’s adviser, boxing promoter Matt Rose, are aware of the photo, but declined to comment when contacted by this masthead on Monday afternoon.

Rose was in transit, on his way home from Las Vegas, but had spoken briefly to Mitchell. He would not divulge any details of their conversation, while the incident was at the centre of an NRL inquiry.

Solly informed the integrity unit once he learnt of the image.

The NRL Integrity Unit is aware of this photo of South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been made aware of a photograph circulating through social media of Latrell Mitchell following a personal appearance in Dubbo on the weekend,” the Rabbitohs said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the photograph.

“The Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”

The NRL has declined to comment until an outcome has been achieved, which is part of its new arrangement with the Rugby League Players’ Association on player disciplinary matters.

Mitchell’s manager Warwick Wright also could not be contacted.

Mitchell was in Dubbo over the weekend to conduct coaching clinics, and is understood he stayed overnight.

Latrell Mitchell has been contacted for comment.

He has been sidelined for more than five weeks after suffering a Lisfranc foot injury in South Sydney’s 32-16 win over Parramatta in Round 18. He is not expected to play again this year.

The 27-year-old fullback has played in only 11 games in a roller coaster 2024 season.

Those close to him swear by him as a role model and ambassador. It was why, in April, Mitchell and teammate Cody Walker flew to Moree with NSW Premier Chris Minns for the launch of Project Pathfinder - which offers at-risk teenagers mentorships with NRL players, as well as sports clinics and trips to Sydney, to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Just days later, he was suspended for three weeks for an elbow to the head of New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson.

Following his return to play, Mitchell was involved in a heated argument with NRL 360 host Braith Anasta at Surry Hills restaurant Chin Chin over what he perceived were personal attacks.

From there, Mitchell led a Rabbitohs resurgence following their disastrous start to the season. His stellar form earned him a call-up for State of Origin II, where he helped NSW square the series 1-1 against Queensland.

Latrell Mitchell has been sidelined since round 18. Picture: NRL Imagery

However, a foot injury in Round 18 again sidelined him as the Rabbitohs tumbled out of finals contention.

South Sydney last week emphatically defended allowing Mitchell to attend a country rodeo rather than the club’s Round 22 match against Cronulla.

Mitchell appeared at a truck show bull ride in the northern NSW town of Casino. Solly was quick to reveal their injured star had been granted approval to attend the event along with Souths teammate Ben Lovett. He also pointed out Mitchell drove three hours each way to Canberra the previous week where he mingled and took selfies with fans for hours before and after Souths’ game.

The Mitchell photo is the NRL’s third public white substance saga in three years.

Last September, North Queensland Cowboys Valentine Holmes briefly posted an image on his Instagram account with a white bag between his teeth. He insisted it was a silly prank gone wrong, but the Cowboys and NRL still fined him $100,000 - $50,000 of which was suspended - and banned him for one match.

In 2021, there was a white powder scandal involving Melbourne Storm trio Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis, who were each hit with one-game suspensions, plus a suspended fine of $100,000 following images of them partying in a Sunshine Coast hotel room with an unknown white substance.

Originally published as NRL Integrity Unit investigating a photograph of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell