NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell breaks silence on racial abuse, vows to take a stand a gainst racism
Latrell Mitchell has opened up on being the victim of racial abuse, vowing to continue to take his stance against discrimination, to make the world a better place for his daughters.
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At Redfern Oval, South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell is ‘The King of the Kids’.
At home, Mitchell, a proud Biripi and Wiradjuri man, is the doting father to two young girls - the reason he is willing to take a stand against racist abuse and discrimination.
On more than one occasion Mitchell has had to publicly take a stand against such abuse, and because of his daughters, who deserve a better future, it won’t be the last time.
Privately, he is doing whatever it takes to ensure his daughters have the ‘tools’ to overcome any form of discrimination.
“As a father, it’s about helping put tools in place for them to deal, or combat that,” Mitchell said.
“Hopefully, we won’t be talking about this when they are 18 or 20 years old.
“At the end of the day, my girls are going to grow up as proud, strong, Aboriginal women and that’s all I want.
“I want them to know anything they do or want to achieve, they can.
“I want them to know colour will not be a barrier to anything they want to achieve as women.
“They’ll grow up to be beautiful Aboriginal women, who can conquer anything in their path.
“That’s why I do what I do on the field, that’s why I love what I do, I’m trying to set a standard for my girls, and my people.
“But I’m not just doing it for my people, it’s about all racism.
“Racism comes in all shapes and forms. It’s not right to go after someone because of the way they look, or ethnic background.
“I’m standing up for anyone affected by it.”
As well as his daughters Inala and Aleena, Mitchell is taking a stance for Indigenous kids all over the country.
Like the budding footy stars from Alexandria Rovers, who swamped Mitchell on Tuesday morning at Redfern Oval, where NSW Labor leader Chris Minns announced a funding package to support rugby league in the state’s far west.
Mitchell not only showed up on a day off to endorse the announcement - that is set to benefit remote and Indigenous communities - the 25-year old stayed to play touch footy with the local juniors and made sure not to leave before signing every jersey and fulfilling every selfie request.
“Yeah, I’m the King of the Kids,” Mitchell laughed.
“It (role model) is a responsibility that is put upon you, you get put on TV and kids look up to because sports people chase their dreams, we get idolised a lot.
“We are living proof, dream chasers. I always wanted to do this and a lot of kids, Indigenous kids, want to follow the same path.
“There needs to be a pathway, our numbers at junior level are gradually dying. We only have around six percent in our junior ranks, it’s sad to see.
“Hopefully this funding helps put footy back into people’s lives.”
Two weeks ago, Mitchell was the target of a teenage spectator who allegedly hurled a racial slur at him while leaving the field at half-time in the round two clash against Penrith.
“I’m back on track, it doesn’t just affect me, it affects a lot of our community, Redfern, Taree, the Central West… I got a lot of love from out there,” Mitchell said.
“It’s definitely opened up a few scars for our people but I have to keep marching on and not let it affect me.
Mitchell crumpled into a heap of exhaustion and emotion at the full-time siren in South Sydney’s round three defeat at the hands of his former club and arch rivals Sydney Roosters.
Saturday’s clash against Manly also promises to be an emotionally charged affair following the death of former Rabbitohs and rugby league legend John Sattler on Monday.
LABOR LEADER WINS LATRELL MITCHELL’S VOTE
Labor leader Chris Minns has won the vote of South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell following a pledge to help fund bush footy in the state’s far west.
Minns has promised to fund local rugby league in the NSW far west to the tune of $500,000 a year.
The money would ease the burden of growing participation costs, like travel and club registrations.
Mitchell, 25, started his journey to the NRL as a Taree Red Rovers and understands the challenges families in remote and Indigenous communities face when resources are limited.
“This funding is so important, I’m from Taree and we are struggling with junior numbers,” Mitchell told The Daily Telegraph.
“Footy is an outlet for kids, especially for Indigenous kids. It was an outlet for me to play something I loved and a way for me to stay away from all the trouble going on in the community.
“For out west, it’s even harder. They have to travel 300km to play one game, scramble to get enough numbers in teams because not everyone can find a car to travel that far.
“I understand the struggle and this is why Chris Minns will be perfect to help in this area. If he is Premier, and when he is Premier on Saturday, I’ll be voting for him.
“He’s very passionate, I’ve just met him and feel like I’ve known him for 10 years. I’m excited to see how Chris can help to support footy in rural areas.”
Mitchell, who has stoically taken a public stance against racism, sees rugby league as an avenue in educating and bringing communities closer together.
Mitchell, and junior footy players from the Alexandria Rovers, joined Minns on his election campaign trail at Redfern Oval as the race to the finish line ahead of Saturday’s state election heats up.
While Minns has Mitchell’s vote, the Labor leader was not willing to give up his NRL team colours, Canterbury Bulldogs, for the cardinal and myrtle of the Rabbitohs.
But Mitchell joked he has a plan to convert Minns, and join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the South Sydney burrow.
“I know (he’s a Canterbury fan), but I’ll be giving him a Bunnies jersey too,” Mitchell laughed.
The NSW Labor leader said the funding would prop up community engagement programs, gala days and pathways for both the men’s and women’s game.
“This commitment from NSW Labor will ensure that kids in regional, rural and remote towns can keep playing the game they love,” Minns said.
“Sometimes the difference between a club or a competition running can be as simple as having funding for a bus or for insurance.”
“This funding isn’t just good for sport, it is good for community engagement and building the life skills children need to succeed.”
NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden said funding rugby league in remote communities has tangible benefits like helping reduce crime rates.
“Community sport, particularly rugby league, in western NSW is the focal point of the community,” Trodden said.
“Aside from the health and welfare benefits of sport, it has so many other flow-on social benefits. So when you have the funding, the community really thrives. When you don’t have it, there are a whole lot of community issues that arise as a consequence.
“Funding packages like this allow community sport to take place and particularly in Indigenous communities. Rugby league is the Indigenous sport so funding the sport in western NSW is pivotal to the success of the community.”
‘MAROONS SHITTING THEMSELVES’: TRELL’S STINGING ORIGIN BARB
—Phil Rothfield
It’s the rugby league box office show we’ve been waiting almost five years to see.
Saturday night, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium. Souths v Manly. Latrell v Turbo.
Two champions. Too excitement machines. The two biggest turnstile clickers in rugby league.
The pair have not opposed each other, because of injuries, since July 22, 2018 at Brookvale Oval.
The best start to an NRL season in memory is about to get even better.
LATRELL ON TURBO
While Roosters star James Tedesco will play fullback for the Blues in Origin, Latrell is hanging out to play alongside Turbo against Queensland.
“They’d (QLD) be shitting themselves about us playing for the Blues,” he said.
“I love watching him in full flight but hopefully not against us.
“He’s a great player and I’m very excited for the challenge.
“We need a win. We’ve got to get our spirits back up. That’s most important.”
He says he admires Turbo’s resilience as much as his footy.
“His actions speak for itself in the way he has come back from injuries. I really admire him.”
TURBO ON LATRELL
“You’ve always got to be on high alert because he’s got that X-factor,” Trbojevic said.
“He can turn a game on its head at any time. We’ll have to bring our A game to stop him.
“He does things that a lot of other players can’t. He can score or set up a try from anywhere.”
Trbojevic talks about Latrell’s natural strength.
“If you had half his power you’d be happy,” he said.
“You can’t completely stop him but I’ll be talking to the boys – before and during the game – about ways to try to reduce his impact.”
THE LEGEND: GARRY JACK
We started by asking the old Balmain and Kangaroos fullback legend: “Who would you sign if you could only fit one of either Latrell or Turbo into your salary cap?”
And his response was a beauty: “I’d cut other blokes and take them both.”
“When Turbo is on fire I become a Manly fan,” he said.
“That breakout year when he won the Dally M, I just loved watching him.
“He’s one heck of a player.”
Jack points out they are different fullbacks.
“Latrell is a bit of an enigma,” he said, “Tommy works a bit harder like James Tedesco.
“Latrell is more selective, he sits back a bit, but can turn a game in the blink of an eye.
“He plays a bit wider and he’s got that great flick-on pass which is so dangerous.
“Honestly, I just love watching them both. You talk about their attack but they are strong in defence and in the air. It’s as important to save tries as it is to score them.”
THE TV BOSS: STEVE CRAWLEY
This is a Fox Sports exclusive game and Crawley couldn’t be happier.
“It doesn’t matter if its Larry Bird or Michael Jordan, when you bring the best together it makes for great television and the best content,” Crawley.
“It’s a remarkable contest. Fullbacks have more room to move. It’s more spectacular than watching two front-rowers come together.
“They are giants but very different personalities.
“People with only a faint interest in our game will watch because they are such wonderful players.”
THE PROMOTER: MATT ROSE
Rose knows all about putting on major events.
“They are the two most influential players in the game,” Rose said.
“This is a promoter’s dream. When they turn it on – no-one else can go with them.
“They demand attention for 80 minutes.
“They click turnstiles and attract more TV eyeballs than any other players.”
THE MARKETING GURU: MAX MARKSON
“What they do for rugby league,” Markson says, “The merchandise they sell. The tickets. The TV subscriptions.
“Companies want to put money into them to sell product.”
Markson spoke of Latrell’s recent arrest and charges in Canberra in the Jack Wighton scuffle.
“Everyone has got a mistake in them,” Markson said, “People forgive that.
“They judge him on his great footy.
“It’s also what they can do after football. Unless you’re a superstar you go out of fashion.”
ROLE MODELS
Latrell is as a proud Birrbay and Wirajduri descendant, an Indigenous leader and voice for his people.
He’s not only a role model for first nations people, but he has stood up to online trolls and thugs at football games in his stand against racism.
Turbo and his brothers, Jake and Ben, are often seen at their junior footy club, Mona Vale Raiders: volunteering, running water and providing inspiration for kids on the northern beaches.
FAMILY MEN
Latrell and long-time partner Brielle Mercy have two children, daughters Inala and Aleena. His older brother Shaquai has also broken into the NRL this season at South Sydney. His father is Matt Mitchell and his mum is Trish Goolagong. Tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley is his great-aunt.
Latrell loves nothing more than going home to his Taree farm for family time.
Turbo’s parents John and Melissa Trbojevic have four sons - Luke, Jake, Tom and Ben, the latter three of whom play for Manly. He has been with his partner, Kristi Wilkinson, for two years, having met at university.
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Originally published as NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell breaks silence on racial abuse, vows to take a stand a gainst racism
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