The NRL’s proposed one-match ban on Latrell Mitchell for bringing the game into disrepute has a sting in its tail: It will be served in round one of 2025 and not this season.
Mitchell will not return in 2024 due to a foot injury, which was not lost on the NRL when they issued a breach notice for a photo of him standing over a white substance in a Dubbo motel room. There is no suggestion the white substance was an illicit drug.
However, the NRL said the photo “depicted him acting in a manner which has brought the game into disrepute”.
Mitchell risks being further sanctioned by the South Sydney board, who have already expressed their frustrations to their superstar this year following a foul-mouthed radio interview and a three-match suspension for elbowing retiring playmaker Shaun Johnson in the face.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to this masthead that Mitchell was facing a $25,000 fine and one-match ban from the NRL. It is similar to the punishment handed to Valentine Holmes last year after he appeared in a photo holding a bag containing a white substance.
Latrell Mitchell appearing to lean over a table with a white substance on it. There is no suggestion the substance is an illicit drug.
Included in the breach notice, according to people who have witnessed the proposed punishment, is that any suspension must only come into effect for games Mitchell is available to play in. That means returning coach Wayne Bennett will be without his marquee man for the start of his second coming at South Sydney.
Mitchell was not at training all week and is expected to miss the club’s trip to Campbelltown on Saturday night for the NRL clash against Wests Tigers.
Several Souths board members have become frustrated with Mitchell, but his future will rest with Bennett, whose return to the club was largely driven by the chance to work with the 27-year-old.
Bennett has always insisted that a club needs “superstars” to win a competition.
He also has an excellent relationship with Mitchell from their three years together at Souths, during which the coach regularly allowed him to escape to his farm near Taree when the external pressure became too much, something Mitchell appreciated.
South Sydney players had been on a booze ban for four weeks while they were still in finals contention, but that ended last weekend, which corresponds with the Mitchell incident in Dubbo.
Latrell Mitchell is expected to miss round one next year as part of his punishment for bringing the game into disrepute. Credit: NRL Imagery
Souths have missed the finals for the past two years – they led the premiership midway through the 2023 season – and need a fast start in 2025 and their best players on the park.
Bennett said on Friday when asked about Mitchell: “I’ve got a lot of time for Latrell, but South Sydney will handle the matter and get it right.”
Caretaker coach Ben Hornby said on Friday of Mitchell’s availability for the final month of the regular season: “He’s missed two weeks of training because he was sick last week, so he won’t get back this year.”
Mitchell had five days to respond to the NRL’s breach.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.