The NRL’s plan to shift the Indigenous All Stars fixture to the end of next season has been met with resistance from senior First Nations players – and that is good news for Latrell Mitchell.
The All Stars game looks all but certain to remain in February when the NRL releases the 2025 draw at the end of next week.
And should that be the case, Mitchell, who has become the face of the Indigenous All Stars’ fixture, can apply to serve his suspension that week, rather than miss round one with South Sydney.
As it stands, Mitchell will miss the first game for his club as part of his punishment for bringing the game into disrepute. The 27-year-old made headlines after a photo emerged of him standing over a white substance in a Dubbo motel room last August.
Souths pushed hard for Mitchell to serve his ban in the final round of last season, despite being sidelined with a foot injury. When Souths failed to provide the relevant paperwork about Mitchell’s fitness, the NRL made it clear the ban would remain in place for next year.
“The player will serve the one-match suspension when he is fit and available to play in the 2025 NRL season,” an NRL spokesperson said at the time.
Latrell Mitchell’s ban will be re-visted now the All Stars fixture is expected to remain in February.Credit: Getty Images
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the draw confirmed to this masthead the NRL had planned on the All Stars being moved to the weekend after the NRL Grand Final.
The NRL was keen to celebrate Indigenous contributions to rugby league by playing Queensland’s Murray Carnival, Koori Knockout and All Stars across three weekends in late September and early October.
There has also been discussion about using the three weeks of football as a springboard into the international calendar, with the possibility of playing an Indigenous team against tier-two nations like the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Senior Indigenous players, however, wanted the All Stars to remain at the start of the year. The same sources confirmed some of the players said it would be harder to physically prepare for an end-of-season All Stars game, compared to playing shorter games at bush knockouts.
Latrell Mitchell back training at South Sydney last week
The players and Rugby League Players Association also wanted more detail about how the post-season international schedule would work.
When contacted on Friday, the NRL said the draw, including when to play the All Stars, was yet to be finalised.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said of shifting the All Stars game: “We’re always open to schedule adjustments, but only when they’ve been properly planned and well-thought-out, and what the positive outcomes are for moving that game. It just hasn’t landed there yet, and the NRL have made a decision [on the All Stars] they feel is the right one for now.”
Mitchell has played in six All Stars games and captained the Indigenous side to victory over the Maori All Stars at the start of this year. In the past he has served a suspension from the previous season in that match.
The NRL have more to consider this time around because Mitchell’s sanction is related to an off-field incident.
Mitchell has already resumed training after playing just 11 NRL games last season due to of suspensions and injury.