Latrell Mitchell quietly returned to training this week, with South Sydney adamant they want their fullback to “get his head right, and get himself in a good place” as another horror season comes to an end.
Mitchell is expected to be fined and hit with a one-match ban by the NRL for bringing the game into disrepute after a photo emerged of him standing over a white substance in a Dubbo motel room. There is no suggestion the substance was an illicit drug. The penalty was expected to be made public on Friday, but the NRL could yet delay their announcement.
Souths will also sanction Mitchell when he fronts the club’s board next week.
Mitchell was nowhere to be seen as Heffron Park last week, but rejoined his teammates this week in the gym where he started rehabilitation work on his injured foot.
The 27-year-old suffered a Lisfranc injury and will not return this year.
Because of his unavailability for the remainder of the season, which caretaker coach Ben Hornby confirmed last week, the NRL may make Mitchell serve the one-match ban in round one next year. Souths want the ban served this year, and have recruited the Rugby League Players’ Association for support, but that sentiment will be met with stern resistance from rival clubs.
South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.Credit: Getty Images
Hornby said Mitchell was in good spirits, and the immediate goal for him the remaining three weeks was simple.
“He just has to be the best Latrell he can be – it’s as simple as that,” Hornby said on Friday.
Source Agencies
