Latrell Mitchell’s NRL integrity unit sledge divides opinion following controversial statement

The NRL has been accused of shifting the goalposts over what is now deemed acceptable commentary about the judicial process - following a stunning Latrell Mitchell criticism this week.

Latrell Mitchell has created headlines again - but does he have a point?

Latrell Mitchell has dodged a bullet and won’t be sanctioned for his controversial comments that the “match review committee is swayed by the media outlets”.

An NRL spokesman on Wednesday said that the integrity unit had decided the South Sydney star’s comments did not question the integrity of the process.

It comes as rival clubs Melbourne and the Warriors also questioned the judiciary precedent that will allow Mitchell to now use the All Stars match as part of his suspension so he can return in round two instead of round three.

The Storm and Warriors understandably want the loophole afforded to Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh who are also serving bans.

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Latrell Mitchell has created headlines again - but does he have a point?

Meanwhile, the decision not to sanction Mitchell for his comments that clearly stated the MRC is “swayed by the media” only raise a legitimate argument that the goal posts have now shifted dramatically in respect to what is deemed acceptable comment on judiciary matters.

In the past some of the game’s highest profile personalities including Mal Meninga, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart, Ivan Cleary and Sam Burgess have all been pulled into line for comments directed at referees and the judiciary process.

For example in 2020 Penrith coach Cleary was slapped with a hefty $20,000 breach notice for claims he made that officials “managed” Canberra back into a game, alluding to a series of contentious second half decisions.

At the time many thought Cleary’s fine was excessive, yet ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys blasted Cleary, labelling his comments “deplorable”.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary copped a $20,000 breach notice for comments about referees. Picture: AAP

V’landys even said at the time: “You can’t question people’s integrity, no matter what.”

In 2019 Burgess was another who found himself in strife after he was summoned to explain why he should not be sanctioned over his claim that the judiciary process was a “kangaroo court”.

Burgess was ultimately hit with a $10,000 suspended fine.

No one at the NRL on Wednesday would comment on why Mitchell’s comments were deemed acceptable, only to say there would be no action.

Yet The Daily Telegraph ran an online poll asking readers if Latrell’s comments had crossed the line with, by mid-afternoon on Wednesday, 69 per cent voting “yes, others have been punished for similar comments”.

Canberra coach Stuart for one has been smashed financially on multiple occasions in the past, forking out a phenomenal $125,000 over the course of his coaching career.

Not all those fines related specifically to criticism of the match officials, but plenty have.

Bellamy was another hit hard for questioning the integrity of the judiciary process.

In 2008 Bellamy went after the game’s administration and also the media over the handling of Cameron Smith’s grapple tackle suspension that cost the Melbourne captain a place in the grand final.

Bellamy claimed Smith was “hung out to dry” after a post match press conference “got hijacked by some of you guys in the media”.

Bellamy then went further, questioning the integrity of some officials.

That ultimately resulted in members of the judiciary accepting a six-figure financial settlement from Bellamy and then Storm chief executive Brian Waldron, who also had to pay legal costs.

THE CASE AGAINST LATRELL

Everyone in the game is entitled to an opinion.

But the argument here is whether Latrell crossed the line with his comment that the “match review committee is swayed by the media outlets”.

How is that not questioning the integrity of the process is for the NRL integrity unit to determine.

Whether he likes it or not, Latrell is as influential as any figure in the game at this point in time.

So if the NRL determines his comments are not worthy of a sanction, it could open the floodgates for what is acceptable comment for the season ahead.

THE CASE FOR

Has the game gone soft?

You just have to think back to the reaction during Magic Round last year.

Or the comment from some former players and commentators over the weekend when players were sin binned for what many would probably agree were minor offences.

Braith Anasta even said on Fox League’s match coverage in relation to Tyrell Fuimaono’s tackle on Haze Dunster: “I actually don’t think that was intentional. I don’t think it was a stereotypical hip-drop. I don’t think he meant it.”

And there is just no ignoring many would totally agree with Latrell’s comment “we may as well play Oztag”.

Yet it is a fine line the game is walking by trying to keep the rusted on fans happy, but also get rid of dangerous tackles so a new generation of fans are not turned away.

And what price player safety is also for debate here.

Because on one hand people are saying Fuimaono was hard-done by copping a five-match ban, yet Dunster won’t play again this season, and in fact will struggle to be fit for the start of next year.

So who is the real victim, or is it just another case of “these things happen in footy”?

MITCHELL WON’T BE MUZZLED

By Dean Ritchie

South Sydney players are encouraged to speak freely and openly – so don’t bag Latrell for doing just that.

That is the opinion of Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly, who has launched a strong defence of Latrell Mitchell.

Mitchell won’t be sanctioned for his controversial comments that the “match review committee is swayed by the media outlets”.

Solly backed Mitchell for raising the debate about whether rugby league had become “OzTag”.

“The media and the public want players to speak from the heart and show their character and Latrell did just that,” Solly said.

Souths CEO Blake Solly has launched a strong defence of Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“We are often told from members of the media and public that they want to see and hear from players speaking from the heart and speaking openly. So it would be strange to then be critical of someone who does that.

“I certainly think, and I suspect the NRL agree, that nothing Latrell did questioned the integrity of any officials or brought the game into disrepute.

“I think his comments were considered and came from the heart. Our attitude at the club is that whenever a player is willing to do that we will support them.

“It is a measure of Latrell’s growing maturity and leadership that he feels confident enough to say what he did.

“We would encourage Latrell, like all our players, to be considered, open and articulate about how they feel about the game or our club.

“I don’t think it was a dig at the NRL in terms of the OzTag comment. I think it’s a genuine discussion that the game is having about the physicality of the sport and whether that’s the right way to go.

“There are lots of people talking about that so I don’t think that was a dig at the NRL at all.”

Mitchell told The Daily Telegraph the match review committee was “swayed by the media outlets”.

“On his other point around the match review committee, Peter (V’landys) and Andrew (Abdo) are finalising their review of the judiciary process,” Solly said.

“Latrell, like a lot of other people in the game, has been able to give their views to the NRL on this and, from what we understand, that review will be finalised and the findings communicated to the clubs in the coming weeks.

“The clubs were able to participate in that review and we consulted with players and coaching staff before we provided our response.

“Having seen the reception Latrell received in the community in Cairns last week (for a trial game), it’s clear that a lot of people – both Rabbitohs’ fans and fans of other clubs alike – love Latrell for his character.”

BAN BUSTER: LATRELL’S GAME-CHANGING JUDICIARY WIN

By Fatima Kdouh

A candid Latrell Mitchell has revealed the first tackle he will make in almost seven months will be ‘daunting’, as the banned South Sydney superstar prepares to take the field sooner than expected.

The fullback was rubbed out for six weeks after a hit on Joey Manu in round 24 left the Sydney Roosters centre with a fractured cheekbone.

Mitchell was slated to return in round three to take on Manu and his former Roosters teammates, but on Tuesday evening was given clearance by the NRL Judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew to return in round two against Melbourne.

Latrell Mitchell is set to take on the Storm in round two.

Mitchell wasn’t picked in the Indigenous All Stars squad but the pre-season fixture was counted towards his suspension after the Rabbitohs made an application to the judiciary.

Under the rules, a player can apply to have a representative match counted towards a suspension, even if they were not picked, if they can prove they would have otherwise been selected in the side. The rule applies to All Stars, Origin and Test matches.

While Mitchell is confident he will be physically primed to return to the field against the Storm, mentally, his first game back will be more of a challenge.

“That’s how the modern game is … it’s pretty daunting to know that you can go into tackle and get suspended for seven weeks,” Mitchell told News Corp.

“But that’s the process, I get that. The safety and well being of our players in the game is an important thing.”

Mitchell believes the judiciary and Match Review Committee can be ‘unfair’ to players who are banned for an extended period for a tackle where there was no intent to cause harm.

Latrell took in Souths’ pre-season visit to Cairns last weekend from the sidelines.

The 24-year old said St George Illawarra forward Tyrell Fuimaono’s tackle on Parramatta’s Haze Dunster showed why the NRL needed to consider making changes to the current system.

The tackle left Dunster with an ACL injury and ended his 2022 season, while Fuimaono accepted a five-week ban.

“Tyrell’s tackle is a great example. I don’t think there was any intent, it was the step, the way he fell, the momentum, Mitchell said.

“Everyone has an opinion, and they’ll have it. I think the Match Review Committee is swayed by the media outlets. It can be a bit unfair on the player.

“They (MRC) have to take it on board and be accountable.”

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has not named Mitchell for Saturday’s Charity Shield clash against the Dragons in Mudgee.

Latrell Mitchell has taken a pot shot at the Match Review Committee.

Mitchell doesn’t believe missing the trial will have an impact on his physical preparations for his highly anticipated return in round two.

“I’m not too fussed. I know what I need to do to get myself ready and right (for round two) and it’s more the mental game as I mentioned before,” Mitchell said.

“But it’s good to sit back on these games and rest and see what the team needs to work out.

“The coach needs to see where our young fellas are as well, where the depth is.”

One of those ‘young fellas’ is former Penrith junior and rising fullback Terrell Kalo Kalo, 18, who has been named to take on the Dragons.

Mitchell was full of praise for the ‘freak’ talent who was rated as highly as Joseph Suaalii when the teen prodigy was at Redfern.

Not the news the Storm wanted.

“He’s the type who can float in and out, he’s got good hands. He’s fast. I think it’s the Kenyan blood in him. He’s a freak. He’s young and he’s learning the position he is playing,” Mitchell said.

“It’s refreshing to see good young talent like him coming through, it keeps me on my toes.

“Which is good because I love competition.

“I’ve always said, ‘if you want my jersey than you better come hard for it’.

“But I’m doing everything in my power as well to get him ready to be able to perform at an NRL level.”

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell’s NRL integrity unit sledge divides opinion following controversial statement