NRL 2024: Anthony Mundine says ‘un-Australian’ Latrell Mitchell hecklers should be ashamed

Anthony Mundine has called on Latrell Mitchell to ‘not give a sh**’ if he is jeered by Dragons fans in his NRL return, saying it would be ‘un-Australian’ to boo the Rabbitohs star.

Anthony Mundine has urged Latrell Mitchell ignore the haters if he is booed in his NRL return. Picture: NRL Photos

Former rugby league star Anthony Mundine has urged returning South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell “not to give a shit” if jeered by Dragons fans at Kogarah this Saturday afternoon.

Mundine said it would be “un-Australian” to condemn Mitchell on-field and claimed perpetrators should be “ashamed of themselves.”

Mitchell is back from a three-game suspension against St George Illawarra amid fears some of the Jubilee Oval crowd may boo Mitchell, who was heckled by supporters from other clubs over the opening month of this season.

In a considerable boost for the last-placed Rabbitohs, Mitchell will play fullback after being banned for raising a forearm on Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson late last month.

Aware Mitchell could cop some heat from Saints fans, Mundine said: “If you’re going to boo then you should be ashamed of yourself. Pull your heads in. You’re not a true Australian.

Anthony Mundine has urged Latrell Mitchell ignore the haters if he is booed in his NRL return. Picture: Getty Images

“I know Latrell is very strong mentally and he shouldn’t give a sh.t about what people think or say about him.

“He just has to ‘keep doin’ him’ and play the best he can.

“I just hope it doesn’t get to Latrell. If it was me, it would motivate and inspire me to go to new heights.

“It’s 100 per cent uncool. And not just for Latrell but for any player. They put their bodies on the line for the fans.

“It’s unfair to do that to anyone, regardless of whether it is Latrell Mitchell or anyone else. It’s wrong in every sense of the word.

“They should be supporting the game and enjoying it. I wish my brother Latrell nothing but the best and I want him to succeed.”

In April, South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly described the booing of Mitchell as “mindless.”

Mundine believes the jeering of Mitchell by rival fans is racist. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mundine insisted the jeering of Mitchell by rival fans was racist-based.

“The reason he’s being booed is that he’s a proud Aboriginal man and he stands up for his people,” Mundine said.

“Unfortunately, racism still exists, brother. You know what I mean? We just have to try and educate people and pour water on the fire.

“There is always going to be a fire but we have just to try and handle it the best we can. It was the same thing all those years ago with (Swans player) Adam Goodes.

“It had an (adverse) effect on Adam, he retired, and went out of the game. It’s who you are individually.”

The Dragons were contacted by this masthead but preferred not to comment about Mitchell’s return.

Despite Mitchell’s anticipated return, injury-ravaged Souths are $2.65 outsiders to win the game with St George Illawarra the $1.48 favourites.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Anthony Mundine says ‘un-Australian’ Latrell Mitchell hecklers should be ashamed