By Adam Pengilly, Roy Ward and Christian Nicolussi
South Sydney have made an audacious application to the NRL for Latrell Mitchell to be a late inclusion for their match against the Roosters after the governing body rejected their initial bid for him to serve his one-game suspension in the final game of the regular season.
Having asked for guidance from the NRL on Monday on whether they should name Mitchell in their 22-man squad – claiming they were told they didn’t need to because he would be suspended anyway – the Rabbitohs have now sought a special exemption for Mitchell to play.
The fallout over the suspension for the white-substance photo scandal has soured relations between the NRL and the Rabbitohs, who insist they were told on Wednesday that Mitchell would not be able to serve the ban this week.
Instead, the Rabbitohs’ highest-paid player is poised to miss Wayne Bennett’s first game back in charge next season despite the club sending two independent medical reports to the NRL claiming he would be available for the clash against the Roosters following a long-term foot injury.
Mitchell had been restricted to riding an exercise bike on the sideline at training on Tuesday with South Sydney insisting he was fit to play against the Roosters. Their club doctor has also been liaising with the NRL over Mitchell’s medical records.
But an NRL spokesperson denied on Wednesday evening a final determination had been made.
Latrell Mitchell leaves Souths after fronting a board meeting last week.Credit: Nick Moir
“The NRL is seeking to confirm that the player is fit and available to be selected in round 27,” an NRL spokesperson said. “The process is continuing and a final decision has not been made. The NRL remains in dialogue with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.”
If the NRL does not resolve the suspension situation by Friday night, the Rabbitohs believe Mitchell is fit to play and should be allowed to be included in their squad for the match at Accor Stadium against their bitter rivals.
Caretaker South Sydney coach Ben Hornby said last month Mitchell would not play again this season with the Rabbitohs out of finals contention, but back-tracked last week to suggest the Australian and NSW State of Origin star was an “outside chance” of being fit for round 27.
Mitchell had privately told those close to him he would have been fit enough to take on the Roosters if eligible to play.
Commentators had been critical of South Sydney for wanting Mitchell to serve a ban in a game he was never going to play in, but the club was insistent he would be available for selection against the Roosters after missing the last two months of the season.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said last month: “It would be an absolute piss-take [to serve a suspension this year]. If you took one of those games that he was never going to play and use that as his suspension ... come on.”
After seeking clarification from the NRL, Souths were told they would have to provide medical evidence that Mitchell was fit for the match. Mitchell did not have to be named.
Before Wednesday’s ruling, Souths chief executive Blake Solly said the club had not bent any rules and provided evidence to support Mitchell’s fitness from independent doctors.
Solly added Mitchell would have taken part in Tuesday’s field session at Heffron Park, but there was no point given he was already banned from playing.
Mitchell was fined $20,000 by the NRL and issued a one-match ban for the Dubbo photo, which it said had brought the game into disrepute. Mitchell was pictured leaning over a motel room table with a white substance on it.
Souths also fined Mitchell $100,000, with $80,000 suspended.
Souths risk finishing as low as 16th if they lose on Friday.
It has been a tough year for a club expected to push for the title. Coach Jason Demetriou was sacked after eight rounds, while Mitchell was restricted to 11 games because of injuries and suspensions.
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