NRL 2021: Latrell Mitchell ‘struggling’ as partner hit with death threats

The ugly fallout of Latrell Mitchell’s season-ending ban has claimed an unfortunate victim, with the star fullback’s partner caught up in an online hate campaign.

Latrell Mitchell’s season is over after he copped a six-week suspension. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Latrell Mitchell’s uncle has revealed the South Sydney star is struggling and is “regretful” for his high tackle that ended both his and Roosters centre Joey Manu’s season.

Maurice Goolagong also revealed Mitchell’s partner has been receiving death threats since the incident.

Maurice told Central Coast’s Paddy & Rob Palmer on 107.7 Triple M: “I’ve spoken to him (Mitchell) every day since the incident. He’s not going too well.

“You can tell in his voice that it was an unfortunate accident.

“He’s spoken to Joseph Manu, they’ve talked about it. It was just an unfortunate accident, they’re playing rugby league, one of the toughest sports in the world.

“Some of these things are going to happen.”

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Latrell Mitchell’s season is over after he copped a six-week suspension. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Mitchell was suspended for six weeks for the high tackle that fractured Manu’s cheekbone.

Asked if he knew what Mitchell was thinking as he made the tackle on Manu last Friday night, Maurice explained: “He’s been playing that way ever since he strapped on footy boots.

“He’s always been an aggressive player, he likes to win. There was no malice in it whatsoever.

“He was just protecting his line and it’s just unfortunate the way the tackle happened.’’

When asked if Mitchell needed to change his ways, Maurice said: “That’s just the way he plays.

Joseph Manu suffered a fractured cheekbone after the Latrell Mitchell hit. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“When he’s doing everything right, everyone is praising him and one little incident, then bang.

“Even his partner has been getting death threats and everything as well.

“He’s only 24 years old. Off the field, if you met this bloke, I’ll tell you what, I’ll guarantee you you’d have a different opinion of the way he plays on the field.

“If it were a second earlier, he probably would’ve got him (Manu) in the shoulder.

“If it were a second later, he probably would’ve gone straight over the top of him.

“It’s just the unfortunate way that he was leaning to go into that tackle.’’

Maurice added that Mitchell would remain in Queensland to support his Rabbitohs teammates for the remainder of the season.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Latrell Mitchell ‘struggling’ as partner hit with death threats