Weekend Read: NRL faces big call on whether to induct Jarryd Hayne into Hall of Fame; Latrell Mitchell must atone at South Sydney

Latrell Mitchell has had a long rope at Souths in recent years but the frustration amid the club’s powerbrokers is now palpable – and he has no room for argument, BRENT READ writes.

South Sydney have copped plenty of flak this week – most of it from former Cronulla captain and Nine commentator – over their handling of Latrell Mitchell.

Amid all the criticism, Souths have now shown their hand. Mitchell has been issued with a breach notice by the club outlining plans to whack him with, at the very minimum, a big fine.

Frustrated Rabbitohs supporters will no doubt be screaming about time. Mitchell has had a long rope at Souths in recent years but the frustration amid the club’s powerbrokers is now palpable.

They have had enough and Mitchell is about to be pulled into line. He can have no argument.

He put himself and the club in an awful position a fortnight ago when he was photographed standing over a white substance in a Dubbo hotel room.

South Sydney powerbrokers want to send Latrell Mitchell a message. Picture: Getty Images

When others have had Mitchell in the crosshairs in recent years, Souths have stood by his side. They have backed him to the hilt, worn plenty of criticism as a result, and they have every right to feel like their support has not been reciprocated.

Hence the bitter disappointment at his latest indiscretion. Souths have the ability to terminate Mitchell’s deal but that won’t happen, although there are some at the club who are questioning whether he is worth the trouble.

Incoming coach Wayne Bennett is a fan and Souths want to give the seven-time premiership winner every chance to make a flying start in his second stint at the club.

A fit and firing Mitchell helps. When he is in the mood and focused on the job, anything is possible. Souths go from also-rans to contenders.

A significant fine, however, is in order and let’s hope Mitchell accepts it and moves on. The last thing he needs right now is to become embroiled in a fight with his club.

His priority should be resolving the matter and getting back to what he does best – playing rugby league. Right now, Souths need Mitchell and he needs them.

THE JARRYD HAYNE HALL OF FAME CALL WHICH NRL MUST MAKE

First off, a sincere congratulations to Ron Coote and his family. What a man, what a footballer. Now an Immortal no less.

Congrats as well to the other class acts who were inducted into the Hall of Fame. In Cam Smith’s case, Immortal status is a case of when not if. Be patient Cam, you won’t have to wait too long.

The glittering induction night was the culmination of a process that wasn’t without controversy thanks to the induction of Les Boyd, whose judiciary record left opponents bruised and the game with a black eye.

That decision may be just the tip of the iceberg, An even more contentious call awaits the NRL and the panel charged with deciding who should enter rugby league’s most rarefied air in years to come.

A dejected Jarryd Hayne at full-time of the 2009 NRL Grand Final.

Jarryd Hayne has been persona non grata in rugby league circles in recent years, having spent time behind bars after being found guilty of sexual assault.

The Eels, the club he single-handedly inspired to almost win a premiership in 2009, wiped their hands of him. The NRL did their level best to distance themselves as well.

There was talk he would be expunged from the record books once his appeals were dismissed. The Dally Ms would go along with his other honours, of which there are many.

That never happened. Hayne won his final appeal, his conviction was quashed and he is now a free man after spending two years in prison. Prosecutors have confirmed there will not be a fourth trial.

The charges have been dropped and Hayne is free to go about his business. There was even talk the other week that Hayne may have a crack at a comeback, although you suspect even the most desperate NRL club won’t go near him with a barge pole.

Hayne is 36 and far removed from the superstar who made his debut as a teenager at Parramatta, won the rookie of the year award, almost led the club to a drought-breaking premiership and then made a stunning switch to the NFL.

That’s where things began to unravel, spiralling out of control when he was accused of sexual assault following an incident on the night of the 2018 grand final.

Jarryd Hayne during his stint playing in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Picture: Getty Images

Hayne had just finished his comeback season with Parramatta but his rugby league career ended that evening. The years since were spent largely in court rooms as Hayne fought to save his freedom, his personal reputation taking a series of hits that prompted rugby league to run a mile.

Hayne managed to free himself from jail but some of the mud always sticks and that will no doubt play on the mind of Hall of Fame judges if his name is eventually put forward for consideration.

Art by Boo Bailey

Based on his career, it probably should be. He played more than 200 games in the NRL, the vast majority for Parramatta during a period when he was arguably the best player in the game.

The 2009 season will never be forgotten. Hayne was a one-man band, led the Eels to the grand final and won the first of his Dally M Awards. He also won NSW’s player of the series award and the international player of the year.

Jarryd Hayne spent years battling sexual assault allegations. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

That year remains arguably the greatest by an individual in NRL history. Five years later, he was the star as NSW ended their State of Origin drought and finished the season with his second Dally M award, sharing the honour with Johnathan Thurston.

He then shocked the rugby league world when he walked out on the Eels to try his hand at the NFL. Anything after that isn’t really worth talking about. Hayne returned, was a flop and then lost his way.

The nine years before the NFL were brilliant. Certainly worthy of Hall of Fame discussion. His record during that period stacks up against anyone. Even now, when a player is in the midst of a golden run, Hayne’s 2009 season is invariably brought up as a comparison.

As well as the overall Dally M award, there were positional gongs as well. He was named in the NRL’s team of the decade at the end of 2019 – six of the players from that side were inducted on Wednesday night.

Hayne won two Parramatta player of the year awards. Perhaps the only thing missing is a premiership, although Hayne single-handedly almost provided that for long-suffering Eels fans.

He was prickly and divisive, the sort of bloke you could spend an hour with one day and then he would breeze by you the next without recognition.

Jarryd Hayne was named the 2009 Dally M Player of the Year.

Having a bright and breezy personality, however, isn’t a prerequisite for the Hall of Fame. Having a positive impact on the game is and that is where Hayne may fall down.

When he was at Parramatta, he was a pied piper for Eels fans but the years since have been a disaster and rugby league has taken a hit as a result. The Hall of Fame judges will no doubt take that into consideration if he makes the cut.

So they should. Hayne’s rugby league record has few equals. Outside of that, enough said. When I started this column, I was of the belief that your rugby league career should be the overriding factor.

About 1000 words later, my mind has been changed. Your impact on the game and its image also needs to hold significant sway. Perhaps the passage of time will help on that front where Hayne is concerned.

For the time being, the Hall of Fame should be off limits.