Buzz: The ‘Poor Latrell Mitchell’ show exposes South Sydney weakness

A club as steeped in history as South Sydney should stop trying to rewrite it and instead learn from their mistakes, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are already missing old super coach Wayne Bennett — and he’s only been gone for six weeks.

Bennett’s departure means chief executive Blake Solly is now in charge and takes over as the voice of the Rabbitohs.

And this isn’t necessarily a good thing.

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Certainly not judging by his comments to Nine Entertainment over the weekend regarding superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and making him out as some sort of victim.

Latrell Mitchell and the man he maimed Joey Manu.

In case you missed it, the headline read: ‘South Sydney claim NRL exploiting Mitchell.’

Solly went on to say the following:

“The NRL are quick to utilise Latrell and his profile to market the competition or ask him to take a leadership position on issues such as vaccination – when it benefits them.

“It would be more impressive if they were as quick to protect and defend him from some of the outrageous personal criticism and abuse he receives at other times.”

All this because NRL CEO Andrew Abdo smiled at the 2022 draw announcement when he was asked about mouth-watering build-up to round three when Latrell plays the Roosters and opposes Joey Manu, the player he recklessly bashed in the final round of the competition.

Solly has a short memory.

Manu finished up with three metal plates and 12 bolts in his face.

They will be there for the rest of his life.

Even with the emotion long gone, most accept Latrell got what he deserved with a six-week suspension.

Personally, your columnist would have been happier with 10 weeks.

Latrell Mitchell (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Joseph Manu taken off with facial fractures. Picture: NRL Photos

For Souths to be still carrying on about it … seriously.

Latrell cost them the grand final by not being there.

With Bennett in charge, the Rabbitohs moved on straight away and went within a whisker of winning the title.

Deep down Bennett knew the judiciary had no option.

His only criticism at the time was fair enough and directed at Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“Trent’s got a couple of those players himself he coaches,” Bennett said.

“So I don’t know why he’s looking over the fence at us for.

“We’ll look at our own situation and we’ll address it if we have to.”

That was the end of it.

Solly needs to understand that Latrell is not a victim here.

Like it or not, the build-up to round three will be all about Latrell against his old club.

Not an advertising dollar needs to be spent because it promotes itself.

It’s Souths’ home game at Stadium Australia and Solly should be lapping it up instead of complaining.

This guy is normally a great administrator and a lot sharper than many of the others running NRL clubs.

The Rabbitohs boss is so good many have mentioned him as a future NRL chief executive.

However in this case he is wrong and completely out of order.

It’s time to move on. This ‘Poor Latrell’ show can’t go on forever.