Shaquai Mitchell dumps Blacktown for Bunnies … But he forgot to tell Blacktown he was leaving
Just when you thought you’d heard the last of Latrell Mitchell’s messy contract saga, now his big brother Shaquai has landed at South Sydney after dumping Blacktown in controversial circumstances.
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Just when we all thought we’d heard the last of Latrell Mitchell’s messy contract saga, now his big brother Shaquai has landed smack bang in the middle of his own controversy at South Sydney.
In a stunning development, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal that the giant prop has done a runner on Blacktown Workers so he can join Latrell at Redfern.
The only problem is no one thought to tell the good people at Blacktown who threw him a lifeline over summer that Shaquai would not be back.
Because this week Shaquai has been spotted training with Souths instead.
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As it turned out it was The Saturday Telegraph who broke the news to Blacktown coach Steven Hales late on Friday that Shaquai had gone.
Hales conceded Shaquai had not trained with Blacktown in recent days but was adamant: “As far as we are concerned Shaquai has signed with us and we are really pleased with the progress he is making.
“We look forward to him running out in our colours this year for Blacktown.”
The Saturday Telegraph was initially told that Shaquai would be at the Bunnies for the next two years and that it was a done deal.
But when we rang Blacktown to find out if Shaquai was close to NRL ready, that’s when it all went pear-shaped.
While Blacktown weren’t aware Shaquai was leaving, Souths football boss Shane Richardson also sounded genuinely shocked there was even a dispute.
Richardson was insistent that no contract had been offered, and Shaquai was only on a train and trial agreement.
Richardson also said he had been told Shaquai had no signed deal with Blacktown, despite Blacktown saying they did.
“He hasn’t signed any contract with South Sydney whatsoever,” Richardson said. “I am guaranteeing you.
“He has trained with Souths this week, yes, but he has signed no contract with South Sydney.
“And if he has a contract with Blacktown or otherwise and they want to hold him to it, well, he will be playing for Blacktown.”
Whatever the case someone connected to Shaquai should have told Blacktown that he was now trying his luck at Souths.
“As far as I’m concerned, as of last week he was training with us and looking forward to the upcoming trials and putting his best foot forward,” Hales said.
Once estimated to weigh 150kg while playing at Wyong, Shaquai said in a recent interview he was down to 147kg but apparently still in no physical shape to even be considered for the Rabbitohs’ top squad just yet.
Hales said Shaquai had trained hard throughout the summer but was still not ready to join Blacktown’s top squad.
Shaquai was previously contracted with the Sydney Roosters and at one point was in the top 30 squad before going back to play at Wyong.
Good judges rated Shaquai as good a talent as Latrell as a schoolboy but it’s no secret he has struggled because of his size.