Latrell Mitchell puts fighting fires in Taree ahead of end-of-season trip to Las Vegas
Members of the victorious Sydney Roosters are heading to Las Vegas to celebrate their back-to-back premiership success. But in-demand star Latrell Mitchell won’t be joining them.
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Latrell Mitchell has opted out of the Roosters hyped Las Vegas premiership party, deciding instead to remain in Taree and help his community with the ongoing bushfire situation.
Only days after 22-year-old Mitchell was pictured fighting blazes around his North Coast hometown, News Corp Australia can reveal rugby league’s most in-demand megastar has decided to stay home rather than join fellow Roosters in Sin City.
Early next week, some dozen members of the 2019 premiership squad will jet off to America as part of the club’s ongoing grand final celebrations.
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So while most Sydney clubs are already back sweating it out for pre-season, the back-to-back champs will instead be enjoying what is quickly becoming an annual part of their NRL calendar.
But not Mitchell.
Instead, the Kangaroos incumbent has told friends he will be staying in Taree to focus on helping the local community as bushfires continue to blaze across the country.
The decision means the young centre will also remain in Australia as officials from several clubs continue chasing his signature for 2020 and beyond.
As reported by News Corp Australia on Thursday, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire was this week expected in Taree — along with CEO Justin Pascoe and general manager of football Adam Hartigan – to try and convince Mitchell to join the joint-venture club for the upcoming season.
It comes after the Roosters not only withdrew a $1.6 million offer for seasons 2021 and 2022, but gave their poster boy permission to negotiate with rival clubs, effective immediately.
The Tigers not only see Mitchell as the greatest marquee signing in the club’s history, but are expected to pay him in excess of $1 million per season in a hyped switch to fullback.
Yet while Mitchell’s future remains clouded, it can now be confirmed the one place he will not be next week is Las Vegas with Roosters team-mates.
Apart from being an enticing addition to premiership success, the US getaway is becoming a staple for the eastern suburbs club, who also headed stateside after claiming the 2018 NRL premiership.
From next week, some dozen Roosters will fly out to join skipper Boyd Cordner and fellow forward Angus Crichton, both of whom are already enjoying US holidays.
Mitchell earned widespread praise from rugby league fans after being pictured fighting blazes with family on the North Coast.
Speaking on social media, the Roosters premiership star said of the bushfires: “It’s terrible … (so) I’m doing my part, helping the cattle out.
“Mother nature needs to look at us. We need to have a good think about ourselves as well.
“We need to start backburning when we’ve got the chance, otherwise this is going to keep happening.
“It’s crazy, sad.
“People lose their houses. Farmers work really hard.
“It’s devastating.
“Stay safe, make sure you’ve got a fire plan and get out and get your family right.”
Statement regarding Latrell Mitchell: https://t.co/HhaY3Mrp3b pic.twitter.com/sRBmVbyOBE
— Sydney Roosters ðŸ†ðŸ† (@sydneyroosters) November 5, 2019