Latrell Mitchell left in limbo as rival clubs go cold on star centre
A number of NRL clubs have shut the door on the prospect of signing Latrell Mitchell, with South Sydney general manager of football, Shane Richardson, advising the centre to stay in Bondi.
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South Sydney have taken the extraordinary step of encouraging Latrell Mitchell to remain at the Rabbitohs’ bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters.
Souths general manager of football, Shane Richardson, ruled out his club making a play for Mitchell as have Wests Tigers, Penrith, Parramatta, St George Illawarra and Manly.
Canterbury chairperson Lynne Anderson stressed that she nor coach Dean Pay had met with Mitchell, his management team and no offer had been made.
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There is interest from some at the Bulldogs although another clique at Belmore believe Mitchell could be a risky buy. An apparent dispute with his manager, Wayde Rushton, is further complicating the issue.
The Daily Telegraph understands Mitchell has spoken to a well-connected Bulldogs source about playing fullback but the club has just re-signed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, a player hugely popular with teammates.
Well-placed sources close to the Wests Tigers claimed Mitchell “wouldn’t be at Concord” while Penrith management said the star centre “wasn’t on the radar.”
The New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla also expressed no desire to pursue Mitchell.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis is back from an overseas trip on Friday.
It is understood the Roosters would allow Mitchell out of his contract for next season if he can secure another club.
Mitchell had been linked with South Sydney for most of this year yet, in a highly unusual step, Richardson urged the Kangaroos centre to re-sign at Bondi.
“We might be linked to him but we have never spoken to him, never spoken to his manager — I don’t even know who it is — and we have no interest in him,” Richardson told The Daily Telegraph.
“And if he wants my advice, I’d stay at the Roosters.”
Another high-ranking NRL club official said: “He should stay where he is. Latrell should have jumped at the $800,000 on offer from the Roosters.”
The Roosters withdrew their offer – which was due to start in 2021 – on Tuesday. Mitchell remains under contract for next season. While a powerful and gifted player, Mitchell has lost the support of influential Roosters officials.
The Bulldogs won’t rule out an approach to Mitchell but “aren’t in a rush and haven’t decided whether we will pursue Latrell”, according to one insider. “The club is working out whether Latrell is the right fit.”
Anderson told The Daily Telegraph via text message: “Our football committee are always working on retention and recruitment but there has been no offer made nor discussion with Latrell’s management.”
Canterbury doesn’t have the necessary money for Mitchell in 2020 but have salary cap flexibility from 2021. The club wouldn’t though entertain outlaying $1m a year for Mitchell.
One leading player manager said: “I think the Bulldogs would be more prudent than to offer Latrell $1m a season.”
The Tigers have $1.7m available – but that figure spans two years.
Those close to the Dragons said the club “has never discussed Mitchell.”
Manly also has no interest having just re-signed the Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom, to rich long-term deals.
THE CHASE FOR LATRELL
SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Unwanted
NORTH QUEENSLAND: Keen
CANTERBURY: Maybe
NEWCASTLE: Maybe
SOUTH SYDNEY: No interest
WESTS TIGERS: No interest
PENRITH: No interest
PARRAMATTA: No interest
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA: No interest
MANLY: No interest
WARRIORS: No interest
CRONULLA: No interest