The long-running speculation over Latrell Mitchell’s future is over after the two-time premiership winner was officially unveiled as a member of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Souths had been widely reported as Mitchell’s most likely destination in recent weeks, despite being variously linked to the Cowboys, Tigers and Titans earlier, and Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett ruling out a move for the representative centre last month.
The Sydney Roosters formally announced Mitchell’s departure on Monday morning, three days after the player himself had confirmed he wouldn’t be with the Tri-Colours for the 2020 season in an Instagram post.
Just a few hours later, Mitchell officially put pen to paper on a one-year deal.
The contract he’s signed is worth $600,000, a significant drop from the million-dollar-a-year figures being thrown around late last year. However, there is a club option for a second year worth $800,000, should the Rabbitohs choose to exercise it.
Shane Richardson, South Sydney’s general manager of football, said Latrell was a “sublime talent” who could “go to another level in the red and green.”
“He has the ability to be one of the best players in the world and from our discussions with him he understands that it’s going to take a lot of hard work and effort for him to be at his best consistently and to reach his full potential.
“He will get that opportunity at the Rabbitohs, working with some wonderful mentors here in Wayne (Bennett), Jason (Demetriou), Ben (Hornby), Greg (Inglis), John (Sutton) and Sam (Burgess), and we’re really looking forward to seeing Latrell at his peak wearing the famous cardinal and myrtle jersey that so many greats of the game have worn before him,” he said.
The 22-year-old is the second major signing made by Souths recently, following last week’s news that Gold Coast forward Jai Arrow will join the Redfern club in 2021.
mushi
Roar Guru
He made an unequivocal statement saying he wouldn’t sign latrel, and gave reasons for that. Now some run the Keynes argument of facts changing but he never stated an opinion. His statement was unequivocal fact and none of the other aspects ever changed. He lied. He’s done it before. The bigger question is… why do writers take him at his word to begin with. It’s not a crime, just a persistent character flaw
mushi
Roar Guru
Coast, money isn't just that contract its rep football, finals and the sponsorship that comes from that etc. Also I'd imagine most professional athletes are reasonably competitive people. Winning would be worth something. Tedesco reportedly did the same and may have chatted with Latrel about how much better things have been since leaving.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think full respect to both players tedesco coming through and cordner as the edge trump both.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"I bet you 5 Roosters teeth that Nat Butcher captains his state and country before your golden boy." Funny, you tipping a South Sydbey junior (Nat Butcher) over your own "golden boy" Victor Radley. That's telling. People were saying the same thing about Radley when I tipped Cameron Smith would play origin in 2019. No way either Radley, Butcher or the other South Sydney junior Billy Smith captain their state or country ahead of Cameron Murray. I don't think any Rugby League expert (i.e. former play now in commentary) would back you in that opinion. The important point in any case is that it would be a South Sydney junior in any case. :laughing: No, I'd rather have Cody Walker partnered with his good mate Latrell Mitchell than have Luke Keary whinging at the Rabbitohs again. Besides I'm hopeful Troy Dargan will develop in time before that can become a possibility. Ask the other members of the Rabbitohs burrow on this forum their opinion.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Pappy That's such nonsense chest beating and you know it. Keary is the most important player at Easts imo and arguably the whole of the NRL. Rusty would take him back in a heartbeat and so would you, and you know it. He is the key that would unlock Lattrell and I bet 90% of Souths fans would trade a beloved local junior for him. And FTR I bet you 5 Roosters teeth that Nat Butcher captains his state and country before your golden boy.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I am calm mate. I'm just tag-teaming off your post for my daily Mark "the Yeti" Nicholls running gag. I want both Mark Nicholls and Corey Allan GONE! They are dead weight. So Shaquai is 150 Kg? Wow! He broke the "Shaq" record. The REAL "Shaq" had a playing weight of 147 Kg but he was 216 cm tall. :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Did you see photos and read the story about them hanging out together in Taree recently? All old rivalry is now forgotten. Mitchell is close with Walker, Roberts and Burns. Look at the smile on his face in today's training photos. He looks happy and relaxed and itching to get back to playing football.
Big Daddy
Guest
Papi, calm down you'll bust a boiler. I was wrong about Shaqui he wasn't 130 kgs he was 150 kgs. Not Wyong s worry anymore. He's signed for Blacktown workers. I wait with baited breath.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Latrell and Cody didn't seem like good mates in origin game 1 last year...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Alex Johnston came through the juniors playing as a FB. He claims it is his preferred position. However IMO it us not his BEST position. His best position since he debuted in 2014 has been on the left wing. If he plays there in 2020, especially outside Latrell Mitchell, and AJ avoids injury he will be the NRL leading try scorer in 2020 or he will at least come VERY close.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Are you sick of Keary already? Then why would you suggest that? Unless you realise that without Cronk and Mitchell to hide behind Keary is going to be exposed in 2020. Keary may have been developed by the Rabbitohs but he wasn't a South Sydney junior like Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Alex Johnston and Billy Smith (Roosters). There is zero chance that Rusty wants the whining little sook back and even less chance that he would let a Souths junior and future club, State and Australian captain go for ANY reason.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Pappy I'm sure Gladiator would at the very least consider trading Murray if Keary the Phone-Dodger was the trade.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Does anybody else find Bennett lying outright to straightforward questions appalling?" @ CPB "It's not lying if you BELIEVE it!" - George Costanza (Seinfeld) :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: @ ozinsa And the media doesn't lie and make shit up? Try reading Danny "the weasel" Weidler's contributions to gutter journalism. Bennett has always been about misdirecting the media and taking the heat off his playing squad. He doesn't believe in feeding sewer rats like Weidler.
mickey of mo$man
Guest
Not a Souths fan in the slightest... But mad respect to Bennett.. if the media was relentless in directing a certain line of questioning his way... id lie aswell!
Rob
Guest
Agree he's not going to turn the side around but imagine how much worse the Titans would be if they lost him and didn't get an opportunity to replace him with someone else. Holding off till 2021 gives them more time to find a good replacement rather than rushing a deal and getting another dud.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Nat, I don't think that Bennet is worried about that! Its like water off a ducks back, always been and always will be lol
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't disagree, I would to if they hounded me like they do him. It is what it is but let's not justify it. His issue now is that he cannot hose down any impending move by Souths as no one will believe him so the story won't go away.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Correct. Bennett gets consulted and can voice an opinion on both recruitment and retention but he DOESN'T call the shots. Richo is in charge of that department and beyond managing the Rabbitohs salary cap and trying to retain and grow the Rabbitohs developing young talent he also tries to keep Russell Crowe, Wayne Bennett and the fans happy. Not an easy job. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Latrell's own words Coastyboi. Although a bitter pill for Tigers fans to swallow given the snub Latrell said it wasn't just about the money. He wanted to develop his career, play in his preferred position of FB, play for a club his Dad and the rest if his family supports and that has a long history of serving and respecting the Indigenous community. He also gets to play with good mates that he spends time with in Taree, Cody Walker, James Roberts and Braidon Burns. Bennett as a mentor was also a big contributing factor apparently. ‘I would’ve regretted the Tigers deal’: Latrell explains why he snubbed $1m offer January 13, 2020 3:52pm Source: FOX SPORTS https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/rabbitohs/live-south-sydney-rabbitohs-unveil-latrell-mitchell-after-completing/news-story/3d3839e7fc99d3e61b2f690a87dd2e65
Nat
Roar Guru
Haha, asking a souths man to have an objective view about anything souths?? Let's see how that goes for you.