For the past two years, South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell – arguably the most magnetic player in the NRL – has been sitting on the sidelines at the business end of the season.

It has left Souths fans, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, wondering what might have been. Especially last year, when he was suspended after a brutal tackle on Joey Manu of the Sydney Roosters in the penultimate game of the regular season.