Latrell Mitchell NRL return: Jacob Host breaks silence on South Sydney training clash

Jacob Host has opened up on his scuffle with teammate Latrell Mitchell as the Rabbitohs superstar prepares to make high-profile NRL return.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Latrell Mitchell wrestles with Jacob Host during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Training Session at Redfern Oval on March 08, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

South Sydney forward Jacob Host engaged in a well-documented push-and-shove with Latrell Mitchell at training a week ago. Now he can’t wait to see his Rabbitohs teammate turn his sights on Melbourne on Thursday night.

Host is as pumped as anyone to see the return of Mitchell, whose last game for Souths was late last year. His absence was felt more than ever last week as the Rabbitohs kicked off their season with a shock loss at Suncorp Stadium, that defeat coming only a matter of days after Mitchell took out his frustrations on Host during a training session at Redfern Oval.

Host found the whole thing amusing and couldn’t help but have a laugh at his own expense when he fronted the media on Monday morning.

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“You missed the real fight in the sheds afterwards,” he joked.

“We had round two. After it all happened, I saw the cameras in the grandstands and thought this could be something.

“I didn’t realise it would be on every news outlet, I had mates send me clips from the radio. It’s the most attention I’ve ever had.

Tensions boiled over after Latrell Mitchell put a fend on Jacob Host (wearing jersey 33). Picture: Getty Images.

Mitchell and Host then had to be separated by Siliva Havili and assistant coach for ruck performance Steve Antonelli. Picture: Getty Images.

“Even my dad rang me after seeing something on Instagram and said, ’mate, what have you done now?’. Straight after it happened we were hugging each other. I’m surprised there were no photos of that. We had to defuse the situation ourselves on social media to let everyone know we’re sweet.

“It was a good laugh. I’m about 105kg, he’s a little heavier, so I was fighting up a weight division. We play a contact sport. Sometimes you get heated in different ways. I’ve got a bit of a hothead ... my younger brothers would attest to that.

“Latrell is also a passionate person and player and emotions get the best of us.”

It’s that passion that Host and his teammates sorely missed against the Broncos. If Monday’s training session was any indication, Mitchell is intent on making up for lost time.

Latrell Mitchell prepares to make his return from suspension. Picture: John Grainger

Long after his teammates had returned to the sanctity of the dressing sheds, Mitchell remained on Souths’ hallowed turf and practices his goalkicking and field goals.

At one point he turned to a Souths officials and quipped: “I wonder why the media are here.” His return gives the Rabbitohs hope that they can quickly turn around their form, although they will fly south with an horrendous record against the Storm - they have never won in Melbourne.

“We love the way Latrell plays, I love the way he plays, and I don’t want to ever see him have to hold back or bottle his emotions because he’s a fantastic player with the X-factor who can change a game and season,” Host said.

“I know Latrell is ready to rip in and he’s very keen to be back, and we’re very keen to have him there.

“He’ll be a big part of our season this year. I’ve never seen him work harder or be more focused than I have seen him this pre-season. We’re in for a big season with Latrell.

“We just want him to play his natural game. When he is out there and at his best, he is probably (one of the best), if not the best player in the competition.

“We saw it before he was suspended - he was up the top of the Dally Ms. We just want him to do what he does best.

“He is going to be so keen. I remember last year in round one against Melbourne. He was phenomenal for us. He wants to rip in.

“I think it is going to be exciting - I can’t wait for his first touch.”

How the scuffle unfolded at Redfern

- Fatima Kdouh, Paul Crawley

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has welcomed the training park flash point between Latrell Mitchell and Jacob Host as a strong sign his team is ready for its season opener against Brisbane.

Dismissing concerns that Mitchell and Host had gone too far after the disagreement at Redfern Oval on Tuesday, Deme­triou said he had no issue with the pair.

The emotion is exactly what the rookie coach wants to see from his side before the Rabbitohs first game of the season on Friday night.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” Demetriou said. “I like seeing the boys getting physical and excited.

“It’s a shame they (photographers) didn’t get to see what happened a minute or so later when they were shaking hands.”

Tensions boiled over when Host appeared to take exception to a fend from Mitchell, who was carrying the ball, while the forward was trying to make a tackle in wet conditions.

The pair then wrestled and engaged in a push and shove before utility Siliva Havili and Steve Antonelli, the assistant coach for ruck performance, stepped in to cool down the situation.

“It happened during warm-up and it was just the start of the session,” Demetriou said. “There are no hard feelings, it just shows that they are ready.”

When a fan on social media asked “who won the fight?”, Mitchell jokingly responded: “Big Dog Hosty.”

Last month, Mitchell vowed not to change his aggressive ways on the field and to “keep playing the way I do” after a tackle he made left Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu with a fractured cheekbone in round 24 last season.

Souths coach Jason Demetriou had no issue with the push and shive between Latrell Mitchell and Jacob Host. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I’m competitive, I play flat out and that’s what I love about myself, I take nothing from no one,” Mitchell said.

It appears the powerful back has every intention to bring that level of physicality to training and it’s an aspect of Mitchell’s game that coach Demetriou does not want the 24-year old to change.

Mitchell will return to the field a week earlier than planned against Melbourne in round two after the Rabbitohs made a successful appeal to have the All Stars representative game count towards his six-game ban for the hit on Manu.

Rising playmaker Blake Taaffe, 22, has been named at fullback for the Broncos clash but is likely to lose his place in the starting side once Mitchell returns from suspension next week.

“I have spent a lot of time in the pre-season working with Latrell closely and Cody [Walker], too,” Taaffe said. “Trell is back next week. I’m just here this week to give it all I can and hopefully there is a spot for me next week.

“I’m not too sure [where I‘ll play]. I haven’t spoken to JD [Demetriou] or the coaching staff about it.

“I’m only 22. I have played eight games, which I was lucky to do last year. I still have a lot developing to do and a lot of things to improve to be a full time NRL player. I’m happy to go back learn my trade [in reserve grade] and come back up when the time is right.”

Meanwhile, South Sydney has struck a three-year deal with cryptocurrency exchange Swyftx on the eve of the NRL season.

The Rabbitohs, who announced a profit of more than $1 million at the weekend, now count Swyftx among their suite of sponsors — only a week after the NRL also struck a deal with the crypto exchange which was believed to be worth up to $30 million.

The Souths deal is believed to involve training shirt signage, digital advertising and on-field activations.