NRL to ask Rabbitohs for Mitchell’s medical records over suspension row

South Sydney will be asked to produce medical records to prove Latrell Mitchell is fit before allowing him to serve his suspension in the last game of the season after the Rabbitohs put their star fullback on a final warning with a record fine after the Dubbo photo scandal.

Souths issued a $100,000 penalty to their highest-paid player – $80,000 of which was suspended pending any further breach of his playing contract or wellbeing program – after a photograph of him standing over a white substance in a local hotel room emerged earlier this month. Mitchell was visiting the town to conduct a women’s football clinic.

Mitchell will have to pay $20,000 of that fine immediately, which comes on top of a separate $20,000 breach and one-match suspension issued by the NRL.

The NRL will only let Mitchell serve the ban when he’s fit. He hasn’t played since the start of July with a Lisfranc foot injury, and head office will liaise with South Sydney medical staff to determine if the 27-year-old is capable of playing in the final round showdown against the Roosters.

According to sources not able to speak about the matter publicly because it’s ongoing, Mitchell has told people he expects to be fit for the Rabbitohs’ round 27 clash despite the club being out of finals contention.

Latrell Mitchell leans over a table with a white substance on it.

The issue is expected to come to a head between the NRL and South Sydney next week.

On Thursday, caretaker South Sydney coach Ben Hornby admitted there was an “outside chance” Mitchell could be available for the last match of the season, only weeks after conceding his year was likely over due to the injury.

On Thursday, Mitchell undertook light duties at training before the Rabbitohs’ clash against the Panthers on Friday night. He’s played just 11 matches this season through a combination of injuries and suspension.

“He’s pretty good,” Hornby said. “He’s still got a bit of a process to go through. He’s just trying to tick the boxes. There is an outside chance he could play next week if we need him.

“He needs to show he’s in good enough condition to play a game. That’s the main thing. [We] need to get him out there and see how he looks.”

Even if Mitchell is ruled fit for round 27, there is little appetite to pick him for the end-of-year Tests for Australia, according to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

“He’s not in our plans this year, even if he is [available],” Meninga told this masthead. “I’m not saying Latrell isn’t a great player, but he hasn’t played enough footy this year to be considered.

“I’m more concerned about his health and injury and he gets a good preparation heading into next year.”

Mitchell fronted the South Sydney board on Tuesday and apologised for the embarrassment he has caused the club.

If Mitchell’s ban was to be carried over until next year, it would be a blow for returning coach Wayne Bennett, who could be missing one of his biggest stars for his first game in charge of South Sydney in 2025.

The Rabbitohs have already lobbied the NRL to consider the precedent of former Panthers player Taylan May, who had an off-field suspension carried over into the 2023 season, and then served his NRL ban while injured after rupturing his ACL in the World Club Challenge.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said the club were confident this would be a “turning point” for Mitchell after more than a fortnight of negative headlines.

“This has been a very challenging time for everyone at South Sydney, including staff and management, coaches, players, members, supporters, and Latrell himself,” Solly said in a statement.

“Most importantly, it has been very difficult for his family. This is not lost on Latrell. He has shown great remorse and given us a solid commitment to improve himself, make better decisions, and to work towards becoming the best dad he can be to his children, the best partner he can be to Brielle, and the player he can be for the Rabbitohs.

“He has taken full responsibility for his decisions and his actions. I, along with the board and management, are confident that this will be a turning point for Latrell and that he will make better decisions in the future. We are committed to helping him do that.”

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