NRL 2022: South Sydney question Wayne Bennett’s motivation for speaking about Latrell Mitchell
The Rabbitohs have hit back at the club’s former coach and Dolphins mentor Wayne Bennett over comments about superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
South Sydney have hit back at Wayne Bennett in the fight for Latrell Mitchell, questioning why their former coach would raise the prospect of launching a multi-million bid for the Rabbitohs superstar at such a sensitive point in their season.
Bennett confirmed to News Corp this week that he was considering a move for Mitchell should the Dolphins miss out on top target Cameron Munster, with the prospect of a three-year deal worth as much as $4 million.
Bennett’s public pursuit of Mitchell comes as Souths prepare for the two games that could dictate the outcome of their season, prompting the Rabbitohs to privately question whether their former coach was seeking to destabilise their finals charge.
The Rabbitohs need to win at least one of their remaining games against North Queensland and bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters over the next fortnight to guarantee themselves a spot in the finals.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The last thing they need is for Mitchell to be distracted given how crucial he is to their hopes of winning a premiership.
“I understand Redcliffe and Wayne are under pressure,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said.
“They probably haven’t been given enough time to prepare and build the squad they would like but we are not sure why Wayne would raise this publicly now given where we are in the season and the importance of the games ahead, the contribution he made to our success over the recent years and the good relationship we have with him.”
Bennett spent three years at Souths after his ugly split with the Brisbane Broncos, taking the Rabbitohs to the grand final before leaving to become the inaugural coach of the Dolphins.
Mitchell was a key player under Bennett but he cheekily suggested he wasn’t happy to play second fiddle to Munster when he was asked about purported interest from the Dolphins by News Corp this week. Nevertheless, he still has a strong relationship with Bennett and that means the Dolphins would have the inside running to recruit Mitchell should he decide to leave South Sydney.
It is a big if given how much he loves the place — Mitchell spoke openly about his affection for Souths earlier this week and is in the midst of contract talks to keep him at the club for years to come.
His close ties with the Rabbitohs have been reflected in the way he has played since returning from a trip to America to work with world-renowned trainer Bill Knowles.
Mitchell has become the Rabbitohs’ barometer and one of the game’s elite players. His pay packet is about to reflect as much as Souths piece together a mega-deal to keep him at the club beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.
Mitchell is free to sign with another club from November 1 but the Rabbitohs want to make sure he doesn’t get that opportunity as they look to lock him down in coming weeks. At the same time, they are also juggling negotiations with five-eighth Cody Walker and halfback Lachlan Ilias.
The priority will be to get a deal done before he leaves for the World Cup in mid-October — Mitchell confirmed this week that he was desperate to be part of Mal Meninga’s side for the tournament.
Solly would be delighted if the club can secure Mitchell’s services before he heads to the north of England.
”We love what Latrell brings on and off the field to the club. we would like to think that he has been outstanding for us but that we also been good for him too,” Solly said.
“Retaining Latrell is one of our key priorities.”
Bennett reveals first choice in Latrell vs Munster race
-Peter Badel, Brent Read
Wayne Bennett has revealed his interest in Latrell Mitchell and is ready to ambush his former Rabbitohs club with a mega $4 million poaching bid to bring the Souths superstar to the Dolphins.
But Mitchell has made it clear he must be the Dolphins’ No.1 recruitment target ahead of Storm ace Cameron Munster, telling News Corp: “I can’t be second choice”.
News Corp can reveal Bennett has Mitchell on his radar as the former Souths coach looks to lure the NSW Origin champion from Redfern to Redcliffe and deliver the Dolphins a big-name signing for 2024.
Bennett still has regular dialogue with Mitchell, whom he coached at Souths for two seasons in 2020-21.
While the super coach stressed he is not in negotiations with the 25-year-old, Bennett confirmed for the first time he will formally enter the race if the Souths sensation goes to free agency from November 1.
It is understood Bennett is open to a three-year deal worth at least $1.3 million a season, which would make Mitchell the highest-paid player in the code alongside Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary - dwarfing his current $850,000 deal at Souths.
“I haven’t had talks with Latrell, but if he is on the open market in November, then yes I’m interested,” Bennett said.
“He has been negotiating with South Sydney and they might do a deal before he becomes a free agent.
“Right now, he isn’t on the market.
“If Latrell does go to the open market, there will be 16 other clubs chasing him and we will be one of them.”
Bennett is under mounting pressure to land a marquee signing for the NRL’s 17th team.
Even if he fails to land a big name for the Dolphins’ debut in 2023, he has sights set on two of the NRL’s most bankable stars - Mitchell and Munster - for the following season.
Souths have kicked off extension talks with Mitchell, who is off-contract at the end of next year, but the Dolphins are ready to swoop if the Rabbitohs strike weapon opts to test his value on the open market.
The Dolphins cannot afford both Munster and Mitchell under the salary cap — and the Souths fullback was unequivocal about his place in the new franchise’s recruitment pecking order.
Informed of speculation he is in the Dolphins’ sights if they missed Munster, Mitchell quipped he wouldn’t play second fiddle to anyone.
“I am second choice Wayne, am I?” Mitchell said with a wry smile.
“I can’t be second choice.
“I leave that (his contract) up to my managers and Blake Solly (Souths CEO) to talk about.”
While the NRL salary cap is expected to increase by around $1 million by 2024, Bennett said the Dolphins do not have the funds to accommodate two superstars and nominated Munster as his preferred signing.
“Everybody knows we are chasing Cameron Munster and he is our priority. That hasn’t been finalised,” Bennett said.
“Under the salary cap, we can’t afford Munster and another guy of similar value like Latrell.
“We can only have one marquee player.
“Munster is our priority signing, but if Latrell is available in November, I will be keen to talk to him.”
There is a view Mitchell is no hope of moving to Queensland.
The two-time premiership-winner likes being close to family and friends at Taree on the NSW north coast and Mitchell concedes it would be difficult to walk out on Souths.
“I have been here for almost 10 years, since I was 15,” he said.
“It is a hard one. I want to keep playing footy and enjoying what I am doing.
“That is what makes this club enjoyable, being around such a constructive group.
“We have a laugh here and there when we need to and we switch on when we need to. I love being around the people who are here. It is genuine.
“That is all I can say.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2022: South Sydney question Wayne Bennett’s motivation for speaking about Latrell Mitchell
Brent Read: When they all sing the same tune the Eagles rock
For years the Sea Eagles has been a club rent by personality clashes and ancient feuds, but Manly are now flying high with a fresh sense of unity.
Sport Con: Tigers boss give players ultimatum
In a bid to avoid another painful season, Wests Tigers players were told that they needed to return to pre-season in tip-top shape – or face the consequences. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.