By Christian Nicolussi
The NRL have officially blocked Latrell Mitchell’s request to serve a one-match ban against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
South Sydney sought legal advice on whether the NRL had the power to force Mitchell to undergo a fitness test and serve a ban next year.
Mitchell himself posted on Instagram: “I’m ready to play. I need some answers? @nrl”
After Souths failed to respond to “several requests” for more information about Mitchell’s ability to play in a game, the NRL made a call.
“The NRL has informed South Sydney Rabbitohs that Latrell Mitchell will not serve his suspension in Round 27,” an NRL spokesperson said.
“Based on information provided, the NRL is not satisfied that the player is fit and available to play in Round 27.
“The NRL sought clarification and further information from the club concerning the player’s fitness and availability to participate in the match, including a fitness assessment.
“Despite several requests, this was not provided in the time required to make a proper and informed assessment of the player’s fitness to participate in the match this evening.
“The player will serve the one-match suspension when he is fit and available to play in the 2025 NRL season.”
Mitchell did not train on Thursday morning but posed for photos as a large group of supporters arrived at Heffron Park for the final training session of the season.
It has been nearly a month since a photo of Mitchell standing over a white substance in a Dubbo motel room emerged.
The NRL fined Mitchell $20,000 for bringing the game into disrepute, and banned him for one match. With Mitchell sidelined since July with a serious foot injury, it was assumed he would serve the suspension in the new year.
However, Souths sought the medical opinion of three doctors who confirmed Mitchell was fit to play on Friday night against the Sydney Roosters if selected. Souths submitted the doctors’ reports to the NRL in the hope Mitchell could serve the ban this weekend and start the 2025 season with a clean slate.
Latrell Mitchell at South Sydney training on Thursday.Credit: Kate Geraghty
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly wanted to make sure the NRL were acting within the rules, and said on Thursday: “We are taking legal advice on the NRL’s request for further information and the proposed fitness test.”
‘I’m ready to play’: Mitchell’s Instagram post.
The club even requested permission to add Mitchell to Friday night’s team list after originally being told they were not required to name him.
Interim coach Ben Hornby maintained on Thursday Mitchell would play if the NRL gave it the green light, despite the fact he had not been seen training with the main group for the past month.
“He would’ve been [fit to play], but like I said a couple of weeks ago, it was always going to be a long shot with the process,” Hornby said. “It’s in the NRL and the club’s hands now, so there’s not too much more to add.”
Hornby said he was not shocked the Mitchell drama was still going almost a month since the photograph emerged. “Like most of my questions this year, they’ve been about Latrell,” Hornby said. “Every week I’m assuming that there are going to be a couple of questions about him, and nothing has changed.
“I haven’t spoken to Latrell this morning. We’ve had a big morning with a few milestones and that sort of stuff so we haven’t discussed it.”
Pressed on whether he wanted Mitchell to play if he was not banned, Hornby said: “I have no idea because I don’t want to say ‘yes’ and then it doesn’t really matter, and if I say ‘no’, then it doesn’t really matter. It’s with the NRL and the club, and they’ll sort it out.”
Souths have also fined Mitchell $100,000, with $80,000 of that penalty suspended.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has already ruled out picking Mitchell for the Kangaroos because of his fitness, while the Indigenous All Stars, which could have potentially included as Mitchell’s ban, is expected to be shifted to the end of the season.
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