Pictures: South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell drives 760km to Bucking Bulls Australia Brewarrina Classic

Latrell Mitchell has been spotted 760km from Sydney after being singled out in crisis engulfing South Sydney Rabbitohs. See the exclusive pictures.

Latrell Mitchell signing autographs at a rodeo event at Brewarrina. Picture supplied

This is where embattled South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell goes to find solace in his hectic and controversial life – a bull riding rodeo in faraway Brewarrina.

It was part of a pre-planned trip by Mitchell who conducts his own cultural leadership camps for Indigenous youth.

For Mitchell - wearing his Akubra, boots, jeans and a black shirt, with a water bottle tucked into his back pocket, spent time over the weekend at the Bucking Bulls Australia Brewarrina Classic.

Brewarrina, population 1143, is around 100km east of Bourke and 760km from Sydney.

After a horror week where he was suspended and then accused of receiving preferential treatment at Souths, Mitchell ditched the Sydney rat race to sign autographs and chat with local kids.

This dusty, rustic setting is where Mitchell feels most comfortable.

The Rabbitohs champion also helped junior bull riders at a rodeo arena behind the Brewarrina RSL, who sponsor the event.

Locals said it was the fifth year Mitchell has attended the event.

Mitchell was able to take off given he’s unavailable for Friday’s do-or-die round 27 game against the Sydney Roosters through suspension.

Latrell Mitchell headed bush to escape the chaos in Sydney.

His bush trip comes as South Sydney CEO Blake Solly fired back at Rod Churchill, the son of Rabbitohs Immortal Clive, who labelled Mitchell a “cancer” on the club, a “myth”, an “embarrassment and “overrated.”

“To say he (Mitchell) is a cancer in our club is outrageous in many ways,” Solly said.

“Is Latrell perfect? No, he’s not. Is he in career-best form? No, he’s not.

“He is the guy who, 12 months ago, we were marvelling at his deeds in a sudden death semi-final against the Roosters, on probably the biggest stage of the season … he is a guy that lights up crowds everywhere he plays.

“The State of Origin side was desperate to have this year because he’s a player who can win and turn games. He has just been nominated by the NRL for a leadership award and is a guy who, with his salary, bought his mum and dad a house in Taree.

“To say he’s an embarrassment to our club and a cancer is outrageous. In fact, more often than not, he’s a person that we’re extremely proud of at the club along with the other senior leaders.

Latrell Mitchell meeting fans at the rodeo event at Brewarrina. Picture supplied

Latrell Mitchell at a rodeo event at Brewarrina. Picture supplied

“Latrell has a beautiful family he is devoted to so those sorts of comments about Latrell are just completely out of order from someone who probably doesn’t know Latrell as well as the people who work with him and see him on a day-to-day basis.”

Solly said his club can accept criticism.

“We understand that being one of the big clubs in the league, when these moments happen, there’s going to be a lot of attention and scrutiny. That doesn’t trouble us too much at all,” he said.

“These things happen in footy clubs and you have to get on with it and make the best of it.

“But some of the commentary has come from people who are outside the club and never really shown an interest to actually engage with the club yet want to judge how and why we do things. It is frustrating.”

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins was unaware of the dramas which engulfed Souths last week.

“I haven’t really heard what’s been happening,” Collins said. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. I couldn’t tell you, maybe.

Latrell Mitchell signing autographs at the event in Brewarrina. Picture supplied

“I very rarely watch footy and if I do it’s without the commentary. I don’t have social media, I don’t read the papers. If it’s important I will hear about it from someone else.”

Mitchell will miss Friday night’s big game but Solly said his team was ready to bounce back against the Roosters.

“We’ve got tremendous belief in Jason (Demetriou, head coach), Ben (Hornby, assistant), John (Morris, assistant), coaching staff, high performance staff and most of all the players,” Solly said.

“And the one thing I do know about our club is that we’re always at our best when our backs are against the wall and we will show courage in the face of adversity.”

Originally published as Pictures: South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell drives 760km to Bucking Bulls Australia Brewarrina Classic