South Sydney Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker lend their heavyweight voices to the vaccination drive

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker will get Covid jabs for the sake of their families and the Indigenous powerhouses are spreading the message.

Two of rugby league’s most powerful Indigenous leaders have joined the push to get Australians vaccinated against Covid, with Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell signing on to an expanding NRL television campaign where new instalments are now being aimed at both western Sydney and regional communities.

Apart from preparing to face arch rivals the Roosters in Friday Night Football, Rabbitohs pairing Walker and Mitchell have also signed on this week to help promote the latest NRL vaccination campaign.

Already, a host of rugby league’s leading players – including Nathan Cleary, Wade Graham and Jake Trbojevic – have fronted a television commercial in which each one outlines why they plan to receive the jab.

Yet now, the two Indigenous superstars are also speaking out as part of a push to increase vaccination numbers across the country, including among First Nations people.

On Thursday, both Mitchell and Walker took part in filming for the commercial which will be rolled out in coming days.

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Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell have joined the push to get Australians vaccinated against Covid.

The pair’s decision has received overwhelming support from within the code, with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo expressing his pride in the players who have also spoken out against racism and online trolling.

While the number of Indigenous Australians choosing vaccination has risen rapidly in August, data shows a worrying gap remains when compared with overall vaccination rates.

Earlier this week reports suggested that in western NSW, where the Delta variant is now causing major concern, just 6.3 per cent of the Aboriginal population had been fully vaccinated.

Among the rest of the community however, figures showed over a quarter of the region’s residents had received both jabs.

“Vaccination is our way out of lockdown,” Abdo said.

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker with the Rabbitohs' Indigenous Round jersey. Picture: Brett Costello

“The faster we are vaccinated the faster we can return to a more normal life.

“I’m so proud that our players, who are role models to so many in our community, are playing a leadership role in encouraging more people to be vaccinated.

“Cody and Latrell are such strong leaders in the community. We’ve seen them stand up to racism, trolling on social media and I’m proud to see them encouraging vaccination.”

As part of the latest commercial, 24-year-old Mitchell says: “I’m going to get vaccinated because I want to be able to travel to see my family and be able to get back to some form of normal life”.

Souths No.6 Walker suggested he too would be getting the jab “so I can spend time with my family.”

Overall, the NRL now has 20 players voicing the commercials, the latest releases of which will not only look to target Indigenous Australians, but also members of the western Sydney community.

Other Indigenous players going public to support vaccinations this week have included Alex Johnston, who will also be part of South’s Sydney’s side taking on the Roosters in Friday Night Football, Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy and Brisbane playmaker Albert Kelly.

Elsewhere, the NSWRL have also launched a ‘Super Sports Sunday’ campaign — encouraging residents from the 12 Local Government Areas of concern to get vaccinated on August 29

Led by NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, a host of Blues greats have joined the initiative including Nathan Hindmarsh, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, Greg Alexander and Benny Elias.

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker celebrate a Bunnies win. NRL Photos.

“I’m vaccinated and am urging all rugby league players, volunteers, officials and supporters to go out this Sunday too and get the jab,” Hindmarsh said.

Former Indigenous All Star Joel Thompson is also pushing for Australians in regional areas to strongly consider vaccination after contracting Covid-19 himself.

Now playing for St Helens in England, Thompson told NRL.com he was concerned for people in regional communities, including his own loved ones, after both he and his daughter became infected late last year.

“My opinion has definitely changed around Covid since arriving in the UK,” Thompson said.

“The UK have done it tough with long lockdowns and unfortunately over 130,000 people have lost their lives.

“My little girl and myself caught Covid within weeks of being in the UK over Christmas. We were both unwell and realised quickly the virus is very real.

“As a result, I am now fully vaccinated and had the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, with no side effects at all.”

Also a tireless mental health advocate, Thompson described the ongoing lockdown situation in Australia as “concerning”.

“My biggest worry is the effect Covid will have on vulnerable people in our regional communities who don‘t have the same access to health facilities,” he said.

“My Nan is considered most at risk so I’m relieved she has had her first vaccine and that the roll out seems to slowly be reaching more Australians.”