NRL 2022 Latrell Mitchell demands critics stop ‘running down’ star players to help rugby league grow
Latrell Mitchell says constant criticism of NRL stars has gone too far, and is holding the game back from being the number one sport in Australia.
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Latrell Mitchell has launched a passionate defence of under-fire Souths teammate Cody Walker, and called for more nuanced criticism of NRL players, particular from former stars now working in the media.
Walker has been heavily criticised over his form and on-field dust-ups as Souths sit seventh on the ladder, leading to speculation the Rabbitohs may not extend the playmaker’s contract beyond 2023 when he hits the open market.
But Mitchell, who returns for Souths in their next match on July 2 against Parramatta after a lengthy hamstring injury battle, says he wants to play out his career with Walker at the Redfern club.
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“That’s 100 per cent why I came to play at Souths (from the Roosters), was to enjoy my footy with Cody Walker because I know what type of player he is, and what type of teammate he is,” Mitchell told News Corp Australia.
“He makes the team better when he’s on.
“Cody puts everything on the line for South Sydney, that’s who is through and through, that’s in his DNA.
“They gave him the opportunity to be Cody Walker.
“I think a lot of people need to shut up, sit back and let his footy do the talking.
“It’s frustrating to see because he puts so much effort into it. And the reason why he gets frustrated is that he is such a competitor and he wants to win, that’s understandable.
“There are some things as a club we will address and get sorted, but at the end of the day it’s Cody Walker we’re talking about, one of the most instinctive players in the game.”
Mitchell is most disappointed with the barrage of criticism coming from former players.
“You see all these ex footy players bagging players out, well, you were that player,” Mitchell said.
“Give some constructive criticism, tell people what you think he needs to work on and let it happen.
“Don’t just keep running him down.
“Take Shaun Johnson, I feel sorry for the lad because I know the player he is, everyone knows the player he can be, and who he has been, you’ve just got to let him play footy and do his thing.
“How do we build this game up if we’re going to keep knocking our players down?
“Regardless of who it is, what stature or caliber, we’re trying to teach our kids that this is the No.1 sport in Australia.
“We shouldn’t be running players down, the next up-and-comer. Let’s look at [Selwyn] Cobbo for instance, he’s hitting great form but one thing he does wrong, everyone is going to jump on him.
“I just don’t see how that helps to grow the game.
“And this is where it comes back to you [the media], you’ve got to get stories out but it’s about picking the right stories and building the game. I don’t see how people can run this game down but want to have relationships with players, and then get frustrated when we say no to you.
“The only way to change it is to have the media pick our players up.
“I’ve been through it, and everyone drags me through the mud. You build a tolerance to it.”
Souths were hammered 32-12 by the Dragons in their previous match, but will be buoyed by the return of their star fullback who spent two weeks in Philadelphia rehabilitating his injury under world-renowned training guru Bill Knowles.
“I’m just happy to be back in the group and I’ll hopefully take the frustration away from Cody, and I’m excited to be back playing footy with him,” Mitchell said.
“He’s been our best player, I don’t see anything changing, he’s just going to have more strike power around him, myself adds a lot, Cody adds a lot, all our leadership adds bits and pieces to make our side tick over.
“The last couple of weeks haven’t worked that way and that’s the nature of the game. People need to stay patient, we’re sitting in the top eight, we’re not making any excuses of ourselves.
“The challenge now is to not make excuses for ourselves as a club, as players, and get on with the job.”
WHY CODY WALKER DESERVES LIFETIME RABBITOHS CONTRACT
—Phil Rothfield
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are about to enter into potentially difficult contract negotiations with their two most high-profile players – Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.
They are mindful fans won’t accept a situation like in the previous drama-charged discussions with club legends Adam Reynolds and Alex Johnston that were so angrily and emotionally played out for months.
CEO Blake Solly will meet with Walker and Mitchell’s agent Warwick Wright in coming weeks, hoping to do a deal before November when the two Indigenous superstars are free to sign elsewhere.
Obviously the pair are great mates and would prefer to stay at Redfern as a package.
Latrell being Latrell is the less difficult one.
Despite playing only four games since last November he is a million-dollar-a-season superstar and a marketing machine.
It would take an astronomical offer to drag the 25-year-old away from the club he loves so much.
Walker is the fascinating one.
What is he now worth?
Wayne Bennett once said of Walker: “His skills are up there with any player I’ve coached.”
Last year he finished third in the Dally M award behind Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary.
However his form this year has been poor by his lofty standards, like more than a few of his South teammates.
Walker appears to be missing Bennett as much as anything else and his old halves partner Reynolds. It’s been said a million times this year he doesn’t look happy.
Walker is now 32 years of age. It means he’ll be 34 for his next contract in 2024.
The fact he started his NRL career later than most means his body hasn’t had the wear and tear of most players his age.
But again, what’s he actually worth?
At the height of his career you’d suggest $800,000 would be on the money.
Yet on form this year the club can’t justify that amount.
He is no longer in contention for State of Origin or the World Cup at the end of the season.
Still Souths have to handle this one delicately.
The Reynolds and Johnston negotiations led to petitions and huge outrage among members and fans. Their passion just exploded.
Whatever happens the Rabbitohs want Walker on a lifetime-type deal.
CEO Blake Solly told us on Sunday: “Cody has been a huge contributor to our success in recent seasons.
“He is establishing himself as a considered and articulate leader in the Indigenous community.
“We would love him to stay with us until his career finishes and beyond that, given his appetite to be a coach and his position in our community.”
It’s like what other great clubs do with their legends.
The Roosters now employ Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Mitch Aubusson.
Alfie Langer has a lifetime agreement to work at the Broncos.
Cody Walker deserves the same.
Humiliated Bunny vows to bounce back
—Phil Rothfield
It will take more than being dragged off at the 30-minute mark against St George Illawarra to shatter the confidence of tough South Sydney Rabbitohs rookie Lachlan Ilias.
The 22-year-old halfback has vowed to bounce back from the season’s most humiliating moment on Thursday night in Wollongong.
Ilias has spoken for the first time of his midgame sacking, which sparked criticism of his coach Jason Demetriou from rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston.
“Yes it was disappointing,” he said, “No one wants to come off like that but I’ll use it as motivation to work harder, train harder and play harder to be the best I possibly can.
“I’m actually looking forward to the challenge.”
The 14-game Rabbitoh says he has been blown away by the encouragement from Souths players.
Hooker Damien Cook and five-eighth Cody Walker were seen consoling him post-match on the dressing room television cameras.
“You really appreciate it,” he said. “That’s what’s special about a club like Souths. We’re all there for each other. It’s really uplifting.”
The argument, however, continues to rage about Souths’ decision to part company with veteran halfback Adam Reynolds at the end of last season because of concerns around his long-term durability.
He has missed five of the Broncos’ 15 games.
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly insists Ilias can get the job done in the back half of the season, with coach Demetriou confirming he will start against Parramatta the weekend after Origin.
“We want Lachie to be at our club for a long time to come,” Solly said. “He has an incredibly bright future.
“He is a wonderful young man, resilient, with a great temperament and a huge appetite to learn.
“Anytime he has faced a challenge in his career to date, he has passed it with flying colours. This will be no different.”
Demetriou spoke to Ilias after the game and again on Friday.
“I told him to keep his head up – it was a tough night for us all,” Demetriou said.
“He’ll learn a lot from it. We’ve all got to look to be better next game.”
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