What’s the Buzz: Latrell Mitchell’s emotional radio interview cut short after X-rated swearing rant
After an emotional week, Latrell Mitchell let his words flow a little too freely in a live radio interview, forcing it to be cut short. Phil Rothfield reveals all in What’s the Buzz.
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Triple M had to pull a live interview with an emotion-charged Latrell Mitchell on Thursday night after the South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar swore on five occasions.
Host Dan Ginnane made the decision to cut short the interview as Latrell kept dropping the F bomb to Ben Dobbin on the sideline at full-time. He swore five times in 30 seconds before the interview was stopped.
Ginnane told us: “You can let one or two profanities go but this was too much.
“We had to cut it. It was very odd and it wasn’t doing Latrell any favours. Funny thing, I don’t think we got one complaint about it.”
The NRL will consider taking action against Latrell like they have with players previously in these situations. Chief executive Andrew Abdo said: “We encourage players to be themselves and be authentic. However, they also know they are professionals and role models which means setting an example. When speaking to fans via media interviews, we have a responsibility to be respectful.”
We texted Latrell for a response: ‘I’ve got no comment mate just enjoying the farm and family cheers”.
There’s no question Mitchell has been emotionally charged in these early rounds.
But Dobbin, a seasoned broadcaster, was caught by surprise.
“Latrell’s a really good bloke but clearly he was frustrated by the loss,” Dobbin told me.
“It’s a difficult situation in live interviews straight after a game but I wasn’t expecting it.”
Fellow Triple M commentator Anthony Maroon was less forgiving.
“Latrell Mitchell’s behaviour last night, mate if you happen to be listening, you are an absolute disgrace,” Maroon said.
“You are an embarrassment to our jumper and the tradition and the people it represents. For you to get on Triple M live on air and drop the F bomb half a dozen times and then give yourself credit for scoring 100 tries, I honestly can not fathom what’s going on in your head. If any of the hierarchy at our club is listening, for god’s sake, pull this bloke into line.”
The transcript:
Dobbin: “It looks like it got away from you Latrell.”
Latrell: “It’s all right mate, Honestly f---, f---ing the first bit, it was a hard game f---, we showed what we were about. Honestly they’re big boys and competitors, you wonder why they came runners-up last year. F--- I don’t care if I’m swearing honestly. I’m very happy. I scored 100 tries, so that something. It was my 100th f---.”
MUNDINE BURIES HATCHET WITH LATRELL
Anthony Mundine has emerged from his bitter falling out with Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell by declaring: “Tell my bra I still love him.”
The former boxing and NRL legend tried to contact Mitchell before Souths’ Thursday night game against Brisbane after their nasty social media exchange over the Ezra Mam racism row.
“I love the kid,” Mundine said. “And I want the best for him.
“But I felt disrespected, it hurt me and I was emotionally charged. It was stupid. I wasn’t thinking straight. I felt bad and that’s why I took my posts down.”
Mundine watched on TV as Mitchell had a mixed night at Suncorp Stadium, with Souths slumping to its second straight defeat.
“That last try he scored – that was deadly,” Mundine said. “It fills me with pride and joy when I see him perform like that.”
Mitchell at this stage has not returned Mundine’s call or text message.
“He never answered,” Mundine said. “I want to say it’s OK to have a different opinion.
“Not everyone’s the same but we’re both proud to be black.
“I’m sure we’ll cross paths. In one more year I’ll be an elder. I want to help my bras.”
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Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Latrell Mitchell’s emotional radio interview cut short after X-rated swearing rant