NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell opens up on court case, Rabbitohs missing finals and Dally M no-show

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has opened up on a tough 2023 season, revealing his struggles with a court case hanging over his head, and addressing Souths’ finals flop and his Dally M no-show.

Latrell Mitchell in his return to Rabbitohs training at Redfern Oval. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Latrell Mitchell has opened up about a year at South Sydney when he had to “fake being happy’’ while he had a court case hanging over his head.

Speaking to former NRL star and Rabbitohs teammate Josh Mansour on the Let’s Trot podcast, Mitchell talked about the troubles he had dealing with the court matter, his injury management in Origin camp, Souths’ mid-year implosion and why he was a no-show on Dally M Medal night.

Mitchell and new Souths teammate Jack Wighton had charges against them dropped after they were arrested in February and charged with fighting in a public place in Canberra.

The case fell apart when a veteran police officer admitted to giving false evidence in the court hearing.

The Souths fullback struggled with the pressure of waiting for the court case.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell on the Let's Trot podcast. Pic: Instagram

“It’s a long 10 months… just dragged on there, I knew I was innocent the whole time, and just trying to prove I was a good person… trying to fake being happy for 10 months was pretty hard, so I’m glad it’s over.” Mitchell said

“You know footy was a big thing, trying to perform every day and turn up and knowing that’s still hanging over your head.”

Mitchell also had to deal with speculation linking him to Rabbitohs assistant coach Sam Burgess’ departure during the season, and criticism from the son of South Sydney great Clive Churchill.

“You look at the comments section when Latrell Mitchell is involved and it’s like 1500 comments - it’s just a rodeo, my life,” Mitchell told the podcast.

“All I’ve ever done is come out and outline what happens in my community, being a black person, I’m being me and that’s all I’ve ever done.

“All I’ve done is be a proud blackfella and I think that’s why I get crucified most.”

Mitchell suffered a calf injury heading into the Origin opener which derailed most of his season.

Upon returning, Mitchell said he couldn’t find the form that sparked the Rabbitohs’ year when they sat on top of the NRL ladder after 11 rounds.

Latrell Mitchell admits it was a tough year, knowing he was innocent and having to, feign happiness. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The 26-year-old also suggested his recovery was not handled as well as it could be.

“It was hard for me to come back and find that form again… 10 weeks too long where I wasn’t looked after the way I should’ve been,” Mitchell said.

South Sydney have an ageing squad, with four of their best players on the wrong side of 30.

Mitchell said the expectations put on him to lift the Rabbitohs out of their slump didn’t help his situation.

“‘It’s all right, Latrell’s back we will be all right again, we will win again’ ... just the pressure of that got to me a little bit,” he said.

After the rough year Mitchell was still adamant the club was his home, saying they enabled him to be himself.

Mansour asked Mitchell, a two-time premiership winning-centre at the Roosters, if there was any resentment toward the Tricolours, and why every time the teams clashed fans saw a different side of him.

Latrell Mitchell on his first day back at pre-season this week. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I just let them know what they are missing out on and what they let go of in a way,” Mitchell said.

“I just love playing opposition, especially someone that meant a lot to me as well… the Roosters meant a lot at the time and I felt like I give a lot to that club and… just leaving that club on the terms I didn’t want to leave on, but at the end of the day it was for the better and I’m at home at Souths and I’ve got a great position now.

Mitchell also explained that his no-show at the Dally Ms, where he was awarded the Ken Stephens Medal, wasn’t done out of spite, but more about him not being comfortable picking up an award for community work.

“I didn’t see the point of getting up and getting an award... that’s not what I do it for, I do it for smiles for the kids,” Mitchell said.

“If I can change a kid’s life one day then that’s my job, that’s my reward.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell opens up on court case, Rabbitohs missing finals and Dally M no-show