Wayne Bennett makes a call amid Latrell Mitchell transformation
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is clearly keen to move past his white substance saga and be fighting fit for new coach Wayne Bennett.
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Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is clearly keen to repay the club after last August’s white substance saga and be fighting fit by the time new coach Wayne Bennett officially takes over at South Sydney.
Mitchell has reportedly shed 5kg during the off-season and according to News Corp, the Souths star has removed a private bar at his residence and replaced it with a home gym.
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Bennett begins his second tenure at Souths in November, but has already addressed the playing group, warning there will be punishments if they don’t present to pre-season training in tip top shape.
“Wayne didn’t f**k around. That’s how Wayne operates,” according to a source inside Rabbitohs HQ during Bennett’s September address to the playing group and coaches.
Mitchell obviously heard Bennett loud and clear, with the Souths fullback looking much leaner in a picture with his family at a Gold Coast amusement park he posted to Instagram.
Bennett is expecting Mitchell’s fitness to be the least of his worries when players report to pre-season camp.
“Latrell’s fitness won’t be an issue for me,” Bennett told News Corp.
“I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately but if he’s in shape that’s great to hear.
“I’m not there with Latrell at the moment but I’ll know a lot more about him in a month’s time.
“They are all professionals and Ben Hornby (interim coach) did a great job late in the season.”
Bennett and Mitchell share a strong relationship stemming from the super coach’s first three-year stint at Souths, and according to chief executive Blake Solly, the fullback is looking forward to Bennett’s arrival and more importantly, “putting 2024 behind him”.
“Latrell is leaving nothing to chance in his preparation for 2025 … he knows to be the best player he can, he needs the best pre-season he possibly can have,” Solly said.
“He is very keen to put 2024 behind him and show every Souths member and fan what he is capable of on and off the field.”
Originally published as Wayne Bennett makes a call amid Latrell Mitchell transformation
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