Roosters fans, I can somewhat sympathise your booing of Latrell Mitchell.
Latrell was the raw talent your club recognised, nurtured and helped grow into one of the game’s elite.
Then he said no to the Chooks’ 2019 offer of an $800,000 a year contract and ended up leaving Bondi to sign with bitter rivals (don’t get me started) South Sydney for what was reportedly much the same money.
Then, to top it off, while wearing the cardinal and myrtle, Latrell goes and smashes his former teammate Joey Manu in the face on the eve of the 2021 finals, ending the gun centre’s year, as well as his own after the judiciary gave Mitchell an extended stint on the sidelines for the sickening, illegal shot.
So yeah, in the two matches played between the Bunnies and the Tricolours over the course of September this year, as fans wearing red, white and blue voiced their disapproval for Latrell every time he touched the ball, I could sort of understand.
He’s the ultimate villain for Easts and it’s through multiple slights – some real, some imagined, but all very public – that he has ended up in that role.
Plus, he sort of seemed to enjoy it?
Well, that was the perception anyway, until he came out after the final regular-season game and spoke about his disappointment at being booed.
“It’s a bit disappointing. Once or twice or when I’m kicking goals, then definitely (it’s OK),” Mitchell said.
“But every run was a bit disappointing…
“Adam Goodes gave up his career because of it.”
Adam Goodes (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The comparison to Swans legend Goodes, who was essentially forced out of the game he loved due to the incessant booing of the AFL’s crowds, seemed a bit much considering Latrell had been getting jeered by the fans of one club who – as outlined above – can probably consider him fair game.
But then came Latrell’s first hit-up on Saturday night, against Cronulla. And what did the Sharks’ fans do?
They booed Latrell.
Again, it was his first hit up of the night. He had done absolutely nothing to warrant this kind of disdain – well, certainly no less than wear the opposing team’s jersey, a crime of which 16 other players wearing red and green were also guilty, yet failed to receive jeers.
It settled down after that, sure – the Shire supporters did not give Latrell the incessant stick that Roosters fans did.
But the stick still stuck out.
Latrell Mitchell is one of the most polarising figures in our game and part of that is because he can carry on a bit, such as giving Ronaldo Mulitalo’s head a little extra attention after the Sharks flyer had scored a lucky try against the run of play.
I don’t know what that was about and if the fans had held their booing of Latrell until that moment, I’m not writing this piece.
But the other reason Latrell is so polarising is because he’s a proud Aboriginal man who won’t stand for any crap and there are still an unfortunate number of racist arseholes in Australia.
Now, to be clear, I’m not calling everyone who booed Latrell a racist, nor – as I wrote previously about Goodes’ treatment – is booing an inherently racist act.
As we like to say: buy your ticket, take the ride.
You can even boo your own team if you want (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
However, when the only bloke getting booed by opposition fans is a proud, outspoken black man who is literally just doing his job for the first time that night, a noxious stink comes with the noise emanating from the booers in the crowd.
And, as was pointed out on Twitter, those who are not booing for racist reasons are providing cover for those who are.
So we come to this weekend and the grand final rematch between Souths and Penrith, which has to be billed as the game of the year to date.
My question to Panthers fans: how are you going to receive Latrell Mitchell?
This great champion of rugby league who by the tender age of 22 had already won two comps, played for his state and country, won multiple individual awards, and represented his people in the annual Indigenous All Stars game.
Who, in the years since, has marked himself as a leader among his peers – all of them – by his brave and unwavering stance against the trolls and (let’s call a spade a spade) dickheads who have a bizarre and toxic mash-up of entitlement and hate in their systems, and combine it with the gall and delusion to call themselves fans, thus considering themselves righteous in trying to tear down the men and women with the talent, bravery and dedication to strive for greatness in the world’s toughest competitions.
Latrell Mitchell will be remembered as a great of our game, this much is guaranteed. In the years to come, he may put himself in the legendary stratosphere and even earn the title of Immortal – he certainly has the the tools to get there.
We should all appreciate just who and what we are witnessing when he graces the field and treat him appropriately.
If, on the weekend, he were to rub a Penrith player’s face in the dirt for no apparent reason, a chorus of boos ringing out would justifiably be the price to pay.
But if Latrell Mitchell is treated to a chorus of boos for no apparent reason, that will be dragging our entire game through the mud.
And that’s not a price any sane fan should be willing to pay.
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Jason
Guest
First time poster - to spell out the absolute obvious. The author outlined the completely understandable reasons Roosters fans boo him - as it's the same situation in ANY sport, a player leaves to hunt more money and the fans turn on them (perhaps not rightly so, but it's also understandable). The Manu incident only solidified it. The booing by Sharks fans last week however, was obviously due to perceived (I'll give him benefit of the doubt) notion that he was milking several tackles, and trying to tell the referee how to control the game, putting the ball down in play which should have been a knock on, but the ref instead stopped it to check the video for his lordship. That kind of behaviour is not only egregiously entitled, but it's absolutely not in the spirit of the game, hence all the milking puns in the past week, and hence the boos. I'm quite a fan of Gallen's proposal to send ANYONE who stays down as a result of a potential head knock, to a mandatory 10 minute HIA. If they're actually injured, then they need it anyway, right? It'll stop the milkers literally overnight. Anyway - sorry for the sidetracking - that's why he was booed. Thought it was pretty darn obvious!
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I think you're probably right Joe. The initial booing would have been Roosters fans because of A. The Joey Manu incident and then B he left the Roosters. This is akin to DCE getting booed in QLD after he backflipped on the Titans or Payne Haas getting booed by his own Broncos fans for asking out of the club. Normal and happens to a lot of players when they give cause to be booed. You're also right about if it continues it takes a complete life of it's own from here and becomes something else altogether and even if it's just a small portion the racial undertones will be there. Those invoking Wally Lewis and origin, don't get that it was something totally different. Wally (like Paul Gallen for NSW) was a villian in origin and lapped it up and created it. At club level they were not booed nearly as much and usually only when they visited the other state. Gallen was always booed at Suncorp but not other normal club games.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I wasn’t disagreeing with you at any stage I just said I’ve never seen a player cop it as systematically and unrelentingly as Latrell has these past few weeks
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
SBW & Mason were continuously booed by doggie supporters when wearing the Roosters jersey. I remember big signs in the crowd stating, "Willie you are a Dog". Not nice stuff. No one is saying Mitchell is the biggest villain in the NRL are they? Not that I have read anyway. In the last 40+ years how many players have come out & stated they are only getting booed for the racial culture? Adam Reynolds has been getting booed for 10 years every time he comes in to take a kick at goal. His common sense tells him why that is happening. He hasn’t come out & started comparing himself to Adam Goodes. Last year Latrell tore that Qld Origin defence apart with his running power & the stadiums rose & applauded him. I don't believe he called a press conference to complain about the crowd tones on those occasions!!! I’m sorry Barry, we will have to agree to disagree on this point.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Even with Mason and SBW, it wasn’t this systematic from opening whistle to closing bell boo every time he touched and it didn’t last long. In 40+ years of watching footy, I haven’t seen anyone subjected to what Mitchell has been these last few weeks If he’s the biggest villain the NRL has ever seen so be it. But I don’t think so… Hopefully this all blows over for Latrell but I think it’s a pretty ordinary look for the game
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
The top tier players will always attract more attention from the fans especially when the opt to do their talking both on & off the field. E.g. Willie Mason copped a lot more boos from doggies fans every time he touched the ball when paying against the dogs then Josh Morris ever did. Did Willie Mason go sooking to the media about the constant booing? Not on your life!
The Barry
Roar Guru
He wouldn’t be booed from minute one until minute 80… plenty of players have moved between clubs - even rivals - without being subjected to that…
Muzz
Guest
I have no problem when opposition fans boo JWH or his team mates. I am not that sensitive!
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
didn't LM use the race card when he ignored covid lockdown protocols and was busted riding motorbikes & shooting rifles with some mates?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
remember watching the Springboks play someone, must have been in Pretoria, every time Percy Montgomery, the Springbok full back touched the ball his own fans gave it to him. Guess they don't like surfie blonds from the Cape in the HighVeld. Don't recall skin colour having anything to do with it.
Crisis
Guest
JA, do you know Latrell personally? Your hatred of him seems way overcooked, borderline obsessive even.. Cheer up mate, I hate the roosters with a passion but individually, I’m sure there’s a couple of good blokes amongst them. 2 examples, hated Mick Croker (at the roosters) as a player and the same with Jamie Lyon. Was lucky enough to meet both on several occasions and you couldn’t meet two better blokes. Anyway, relax mate.
Artesia
Roar Rookie
Earlier this year Souths & Penrith played at Penrith and we booed him when he was taking a kick at goal.. he took it in very good humour and even had a little false start for his kick before slotting it between the posts. He laughed and we laughed. It was normal 'boo the kicker' fan behaviour that happens at every game. Just like we boo the opposition when the teams are read out ( and it would be so much easier if they read each team out in full instead of alternating!)... nothing personal in it. Apart from the example given in the article ( 'dirty play'), there is absolutely no reason that Panther fans would boo him or any of his team mates in general play. There is no 'history' with us. Latrell is so talented and I enjoy watching him ( more so when he isn't playing my team)! I am looking forward to a really good game of football between two very good teams on Saturday night.
Matt
Guest
When Gallop compared storm fans to terrorists on the 20th anniversary of 9/11?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Over the years, people aren’t forced to sing their anthem. They automatically sang it with heartfelt pride as recognition & gratitude for what their country has given them. Sounds simple however you seem to struggle to grasp the concept. I understand where a lot of the anti anthem etc line of thinking emanates from in this country. An ex neighbour’s daughter was a schoolteacher & she had similar views & was open about what the children were being taught. She referred to Australia Day as “Invasion Day” however was reluctant to engage in an informed discussion with me. Wonder why?
Davico
Roar Pro
I have know him for 30+ years, and he is one of the nicest people you would meet when a camera is not on him. But with a microphone and a camera. He is a very unlikeable person, which as you say, he has cultivated for financial benefit.
Homer Nixon
Guest
Will you boo the players who don't sing the Greek, Jamaican, Italian etc etc anthems at the world cup? I mean, you think people should be forced to do it after all...
Homer Nixon
Guest
I've never booed a ref. Only flogs boo refs. You wouldn't boo a ref in juniors on a Saturday, and nor should you at NRL level
Davico
Roar Pro
If you dislike the site so much, why come on and comment? Why not just go hang out with your fringe mates and discuss your rubbish takes and how you are so down-trodden??
Maximus Insight
Guest
The similarities with the Adam Goodes saga are uncanny. The bottom line is, as with Goodes, as soon as Mitchell has made it clear he is experiencing it as racism then any subsequent booing is a racist act, regardless of the protestations of people booing. It must be a particularly challenging psychologically for those trying to make the distinction between the two situations who have spent the last 7 years claiming the AFL is fundamentally racist. What will probably save the NRL is that, when the next season starts and games are played in front of small crowds, the booing will stop because potentially booers will be put off by the increased likelihood of meeting Latrell's gaze whilst in the booing act!
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
That’s some truely baffling logic. Wouldn’t that effectively make anyone in a minority group of any type effectively immune to valid criticism because someone, somewhere is using the issue to justify their racist / homophobic / xenophobic etc behaviour?