NRL 2021: Latrell Mitchell ‘Public enemy No.1’ after standing up to racist trolls, Anthony Mundine

Latrell Mitchell has made a stand against racial abuse, but it may have put a target on his back, says Anthony Mundine.

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH PIC ED JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE PUBLISHING. Latrell Mitchell portrait. MUST CREDIT Grant Trouville

Latrell Mitchell says the racist trolling of Australian athletes stops with him.

Just like Adam Goodes did.

Seven years ago.

Right before being booed out of the AFL.

“And for Latrell, the same backlash is coming,” warns Anthony Mundine, a fella with more than a little skin in this game.

“What he’s doing standing up to racism, it really is a great thing.

“For himself, his mob, everyone.

“But when you’re fighting an injustice that is more than 200 years old, an injustice some people don’t even think exists … for them Latrell Mitchell will be Public Enemy No.1.”

So what does it mean to be rugby league’s most recognised Indigenous athlete?

For aged 23, this is where Mitchell now finds himself.

Seemingly overnight, the new poster boy for not only South Sydney, or even the NRL, but civilisation’s oldest people.

Which isn’t something this proud Wiradjuri man ever expected. Nor asked for.

Yet just as the chalice once belonged to Arthur Beetson, then Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis, so now it passes to him.

Which is a wonderful story, sure.

But an easy one? Um, no.

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After standing up to racist trolls, Anthony Mundine says Latrell Mitchell is now Public Enemy No.1. Picure: Grant Trouville.

And for proof, consider that Mitchell’s first real responsibility in this newest of roles, apart from leading that awesome, and intimidating, Indigenous All Stars war cry, is going public on the vile, racist attacks continually sent his way via social media.

On Monday of this week, the Rabbitohs No.1 outed two men whose comments are alleged to have gone well beyond the realm of trolling.

Which is why, more than simply denouncing his attackers publicly, or even alerting NSW Police — which resulted in the pair being charged — Mitchell called a press conference to challenge racism head on, declaring: “Today, I’m taking a stand.”

Which as his adviser Matt Rose puts it, “is braver than many people realise”.

Especially when you consider, say, everything Nicky Winmar encountered after lifting his shirt.

Or the way even Cathy Freeman was flung headlong into national debate after winning Commonwealth Games gold, then carrying two flags for one nation.

Goodes?

He was named Australian of the Year after calling out racism.

Then booed out of the AFL.

Just as Peter Norman’s Olympic career ended so controversially on the second row of that Mexico City medal dais in 1968 — when he stood beside Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos as, together, they launched those black fists, encased in black gloves, skyward.

So powerful was the moment, Time magazine labelled it the most iconic photograph ever taken.

Yet Norman, who simply wore a small badge reading Olympic Project for Human Rights?

He was demonised, ostracised, never raced at an Olympics again.

Which isn’t to say, over 50 years on, the late, great Aussie sprinter hasn’t finally been recognised.

He has.

Peter Norman stood up against racism at the 1968 Olympics and never raced in the Olympics again.

AFL player Nicky Winmar dealt with racial abuse throughout his career.

Just as Freeman is feted, Winmar bronzed and Goodes at the forefront of two films boasting global appeal.

“So things are turning,” Mundine insists.

“But whenever you take a stand against injustice like Latrell has this week, there’s backlash.

“Because bringing change, man, it’s hard.”

Now aged 45, Mundine also knows what it means to be the most hyped black fella in rugby league.

That, and Public Enemy No.1.

More polarising than even an anthem debate, Choc’s fight for equality has, more than once, been overshadowed by so much of that other chatter about 9/11, homosexuality, even Laurie Daley’s legs.

Still, it was Mundine who started that protest over Advance Australia Fair that Mitchell still carries now.

Same as The Man, no matter your personal thoughts, has always challenged racism, too.

Which isn’t a fight he chose, either.

But instead, one that found Mundine aged 10.

Back when this future WBA champ would throw his first punch “walking off a cricket field”.

Cricket?

“Actually went OK, too,” he grins.

“But as I was walking off this day, past three kids from the opposition, one just looks at me and says ‘black c…’.

“So that was it.

“Bang.

“It’s the first time I really hit back at someone.”

Just as Mitchell is now. Better, with full support from his code.

But as for Mundine’s warning?

“The response we’ve seen this week has been hugely supportive of Latrell,” Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly says.

“But that doesn’t mean there won’t be backlash. And we have to be prepared for that.

“Although I’d also say that more than being a wonderful leader for the Indigenous community, Latrell Mitchell is now a leader full stop.”

Mundine says that standing up against racism will spark backlash. Picture: Getty Images.

Indeed, when it comes to the ongoing rise of this Taree product, you have to wonder if there is a more popular player anywhere?

Take every Saturday across Sydney, and beyond, when local ovals swarm with kids recreating his signature ‘kangaroo ears’ celebration.

Same as for any event Mitchell attends with players from Souths, NSW, whatever, and no line for autographs stretches longer.

“Because he’s a player who finds connection with everyone,” Rose says.

Or almost everyone.

Because the truth of those racist attacks?

“They haven’t just been coming since he joined the NRL,” Mundine says. “This has been happening all his life.”

Certainly you need look no further than the comments section of most Mitchell articles to find someone suggesting he should simply harden up, look away, even get off social media entirely.

Oh, and how about singing the bloody anthem next time State of Origin rolls around?

“So it’s tough,” Mundine concedes.

“But Latrell Mitchell is a young man who believes in himself, and believes in his talent.

“And just as importantly, other boys are uniting behind him too

“Which matters.

“Because Latrell Mitchell’s strong voice, it’s getting stronger as more and more people stand with him.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Latrell Mitchell ‘Public enemy No.1’ after standing up to racist trolls, Anthony Mundine