Teammates fear criticism could drive Latrell Mitchell from the game

Latrell Mitchell remains central to ongoing issues at South Sydney and teammates fear it could impact the star fullback’s future.

Latrell Mitchell has been a punching bag for critics. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

South Sydney players have vowed to protect superstar teammate Latrell Mitchell from outside noise, fearing he could walk away from rugby league if ugly personal attacks continue.

Mitchell was slammed by Rod Churchill – the son of champion fullback Clive Churchill – who sent a text message to South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas accusing the rep star of being a “cancer” that has ruined the club.

That was just one of the many personal attacks on Mitchell’s character, with Churchill issuing a public apology and offering to stand down from presenting the Clive Churchill Medal on grand final night.

The Rabbitohs fullback has often been a punching bag for fans on social media, with the two-time premiership winner mentioning last year that ongoing abuse could force players away from the NRL, just like it did with Adam Goodes in the AFL.

Mitchell got out of Sydney last week to avoid a tumultuous week in which club legend Sam Burgess walked away as an assistant coach over claims he felt that the fullback and Cody Walker received preferential treatment from Rabbitohs officials.

That was on top of a one-game ban that has ruled Mitchell out of Friday’s pivotal clash with the Roosters, with the 26-year-old suspended for a late incident in the loss to Newcastle that led to people questioning his effort.

“You don‘t want to force a player like that into early retirement because he’s just sick of it,” teammate Damien Cook said.

“You never know when enough is enough for some players.

Teammates fear Latrell Mitchell could walk away from the game. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“What comes with being in the position, it’s just not worth the enjoyment of playing this game. I’d like to hope he’s got a good support crew around him.

“We can look after him and we can make sure he never has retired from the game he loves because of the outside noise.

“He’d have to be the most talked about NRL player in the game and we’ve got to protect him. You worry when he thinks enough is enough because he’s done everything in the game.

“But the good thing is he loves this game and this club and he wants to win us a premiership. A team with Latrell Mitchell in it, we’re a good chance of doing that.”

Former NRL star and boxing champion Anthony Mundine said people were trying to “break” Mitchell, and offered his support to the fullback as well as Walker who have both copped it in recent weeks.

Walker said he spoke with his teammate on Monday night and hopes the recent pile on won’t force Mitchell to quit the game in his prime.

“We appreciate Choc’s support, he is always in our corner. I’d hate to see Latrell retire any sort of time (soon),” he said.

“He does wear it (criticism) very well, I’m very impressed with what he’s been able to cop over the years in his career. I’m blown away by how old he actually is and what he has copped in his career.

Souths players have backed their star teammate. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“I haven’t really spoken in depth about it. I rang him last night just to see how he’s going and spoke to him briefly. I’d hate to see that sort of stuff and he makes that decision based on what he’s heard externally, it’d be very sad to see.”

Rabbitohs skipper Cam Murray says he’ll always be there to protect his representative teammate and now knows what it’s like to have to contend with negative headlines following the Burgess news last week.

“It‘s not ideal and unfortunate that people are talking about Latrell like that. I get a bit protective and defensive of my teammates. I’m there for Latrell as a friend and as a teammate,” said Murray, who just signed a new deal to stay at Souths until 2028.

“It’s nothing new to Latrell. And I had my name flying around the headlines a little bit over the last week and that’s new territory for me, and I got a little bit of a taste of what Latrell goes through. I’m not envious of that.

“It’s unfortunate that his name gets dragged through the media a little bit unfairly. I’ve got all the confidence that he’ll be able to get over it and turn it around and prove to people why he is so popular because he’s such a great player.”