Latrell Mitchell set to make footy return during NRL grand final week – but NOT with Souths

Latrell Mitchell won’t play NRL footy again this year, but the Rabbitohs superstar will be putting on his footy boots soon to play rugby league for Taree in the Koori Knockout.

Mitchell, 27, was suspended for one game and also fined $20,000 by the NRL after his ill-fated trip to Dubbo on the weekend of August 10-11.

The star fullback has played just 11 games for the club in 2024 because of injury and suspension, with his latest injury setback coming in round 18.

But Mitchell has recovered from his Lisfranc foot injury and is planning to play in the Koori Knockout, which is scheduled to take place during grand final week in Bathurst.

‘Latrell is fit and available to play,’ Souths CEO Blake Solly told News Corp.

‘We support the tournament and any of our players who are fit, available and want to play; we support them playing in it.

‘It’s an important event for them and the community.’

Premiership heavyweights in the eyes of many experts before a ball was kicked, the Bunnies will miss the NRL top eight again after coach Jason Demetriou was sacked in April.

It will be the first time Mitchell has played footy since he was injured in Round 18

Mitchell has at times been a magnet for controversy – he was suspended for three matches following a late elbow on Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson and then engaged in a war of words with Anthony Mundine which dragged on for weeks following the Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam racism saga from Las Vegas.

Throw in Mitchell’s expletive-laden post game Triple M interview followed by his public disagreement with NRL 360 host Braith Anasta at a Sydney restaurant – and it understandable that club officials have had enough.

‘Trell Mit’ did help the NSW Blues win the Origin series with a commanding performance in game two at the MCG – only to then get injured against the Eels in an incident that saw him ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Rabbitohs star has indicated that this year he will play for Taree after playing for Newcastle in the 2023 Koori Knockout

The return of Wayne Bennett to the club in 2025 as head coach could go a long way to ensuring Mitchell stays on the right path.

They share a close bond and Bennett is looking forward to again working with the Indigenous role model.

‘I will be there for him and I hope I can give them [South Sydney] the help that he needs,’ Bennett said recently.

‘He is in good hands and he is a good person. I have a lot of time for Latrell.

‘South Sydney will handle the matter. They are a great club and they will get it right with Latrell.’