NRL 2023: Justin Hodges defends Latrell Mitchell amid South Sydney Rabbitohs criticism

Justin Hodges has called on Latrell Mitchell not to walk away from the game, claiming he is the victim of ‘tall poppy syndrome’ amid criticism for South Sydney’s alarming drop in form.

Justin Hodges has called on Latrell Mitchell not to walk away from the NRL.

Brisbane Broncos great Justin Hodges has urged Latrell Mitchell not to walk away from the game, saying he can be the talisman for a sport that unites and inspires the Indigenous community.

Hodges has also rejected claims rugby league is a racist sport, believing Mitchell has been the victim of the “tall poppy syndrome” as he cops the bulk of criticism for South Sydney’s alarming drop in form.

The barbs hit a low point this week when Rod Churchill, the son of Rabbitohs great Clive, used terms like “myth”, an “embarrassment’ and “overrated” to describe the Souths star.

Their season goes on the line against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, with a place in the finals for the winner.

Justin Hodges has called on Latrell Mitchell not to walk away from the game. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers.

“In regards to Latrell and Cody Walker, I think the criticism of them is over the top. Just let Latrell play football,” said Hodges, who now works in grassroots development for the Broncos.

“Look, Latrell is a big figure in the game. Wherever he goes, everyone knows who he is and he is a victim of tall poppy syndrome. He cops it from people who should keep their opinions to themselves.

“We should be lifting him up, not putting him down. He is a great player and a great ambassador for rugby league.”

Anthony Mundine’s former manager, Khoder Nasser, was quoted in Nine newspapers calling rugby league “a racist game” that could potentially drive Mitchell out of the NRL.

However, Indigenous great Gorden Tallis said there was an important distinction.

“We have to remember, critiquing a performance on the football field isn’t racism,” Tallis said.

Hodges agreed, adamant rugby league was inclusive.

“I don’t think you can say it’s a racist sport,” Hodges said.

While Hodges believes the NRL is not a racist sport, he admits its naive to think it never happens. Picture: Getty Images.

“Racism exists in society and you would be naive to think it never happens.

“Arthur Beetson was Australia’s first Indigenous captain so rugby league led the way. He was the Aboriginal legend who paved the way for guys like myself and Latrell.

“I actually lived with Artie for a little while and he spoke to me about the racism he encountered, but he said he was prepared to fight for his people to make things easier for the next generation of Indigenous people.”

Hodges, who works with Indigenous kids at the grassroots level, witnesses first-hand the role Mitchell plays in continuing Beetson’s legacy with the next generation.

“It pisses me off when I see people putting him down because he does wonderful things for the game,” Hodges said.

“Even now when I do development work for the Broncos, the kids say to me ‘can we meet Latrell? I want to meet Latrell’.

“I work with young Indigenous kids every day and, unfortunately, they experience comments in school.

Hodges works with Indigenous kids and witnesses first-hand the role Mitchell plays in continuing Beetson’s legacy. Picture: Richard Walker.

It’s a worldwide thing, but it’s not a massive problem in rugby league.

“You might get some comments here and there, but as an Indigenous player I had only good experiences in the game.

“I played NRL for 15 years and I never had one racist comment said to me. Maybe I was just lucky, but even growing up in Cairns, there were a lot of Indigenous people there and in my time at the Broncos and Roosters, I never experienced racism.”

Mitchell has been subjected to racist abuse both at games and online, but Hodges doesn’t agree the criticism of his recent on-field performances is racially motivated.

“I don’t think it’s a racial thing, but it’s a game where we like to tear down people who are on a pedestal,” Hodges said.

“Unfortunately, the NRL is a cutthroat industry and there will be criticism, but it really bugs me when people attack him. My son loves him and when he met Latrell, his eyes lit up.

“He is a superstar of the NRL and people should get off his back and let him play footy.

“Anthony Mundine went through the same thing. People thought he was arrogant but when you meet Choc, you wouldn’t meet a better person or a better role model for the sport.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Justin Hodges defends Latrell Mitchell amid South Sydney Rabbitohs criticism