Ben Hornby’s admission that Latrell Mitchell will not play again this season will affect Wayne Bennett and South Sydney in 2025, as the fullback will have to serve his suspension in the first round of next year. According to reports Mitchell is suspended for one game after a photo emerged showing him leaning over a table that apparently contained a white powder.
There is no indication that Mitchell did anything wrong, but the NRL has served the Souths star with a breach of contract notice and given him five days to respond. The NRL said the photo of Mitchell brought the game into disrepute and they will reportedly hand him a one-match ban and fine.
But Rabbitohs fans hoping Mitchell can serve his suspension this year will be sorely disappointed. On Friday, Souths interim coach Hornby announced Mitchell has been placed on leave and will not play again this year.
The fullback was sidelined with a foot injury, but there was hope he could return sometime in the final three weeks of the regular season. Hornby said Mitchell had been ill, which delayed his recovery from the foot injury. And combined with the “white powder” photo, the club felt it was best to put Mitchell on ice for the remainder of 2024.
Latrell Mitchell must serve a suspension in 2025
But this decision will impact new coach Wayne Bennett in 2025. According to the Sydney Morning HeraldMitchell must serve the one-game suspension in the opening round of next season, as he will be unavailable for the remainder of 2024.
If Mitchell had repaired his foot and was available for just one more game this year, he could have taken the suspension and started next season feeling fresh. But with him now on leave for the rest of the year, he will not be in the side for the Rabbitohs’ opening game of 2025.
The game will Bennett is the Bunnies’ coach again for the first timeThe super coach has signed a three-year deal to join Souths from 2025, having also coached the Rabbitohs from 2019 to 2021. He is unlikely to be happy about not having his biggest weapon at his disposal.
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Wayne Bennett promises to help Latrell Mitchell in 2025
Also on Friday, Bennett vowed to help Mitchell bounce back after a turbulent 2024 season. A combination of injuries and suspensions has seen him play just 11 games, but Bennett is not worried. However, the coach said all NRL players should be aware of the extra attention they face – both on and off the field.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be there for him and hopefully I can give them the help he needs,” Bennett said of coaching Mitchell in 2025. “I haven’t been in touch with him (right now). I’m not coaching there right now. I’m not the coach there.”
“I have a responsibility here (at the Dolphins). He is in good hands at South Sydney and he is a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell. South Sydney will take care of it. They are a great club and they will do the right thing with Latrell.”
“‘Concern’ is not the word I would use. I’m not giving advice here on the TV news today. The club is dealing with it. I know they would be angry with themselves. We just need to sort it out and move on.”
with AAP
