- Latrell Mitchell has made a social media post in three weeks
- Under-fire fullback is usually very active on social media
- Mitchell seems serious about turning his season around
Suspended Souths star Latrell Mitchell seems to have got the message from the Rabbitohs if his social media inactivity is anything to go by, after making a heartfelt apology to the team.
Mitchell is currently serving a ban for elbowing Shaun Johnson, following a string of controversies on and off the pitch.
The 26-year-old is usually very active on social media, especially Instagram, but the Rabbitohs fullback hasn’t made a single post in three weeks.
The radio silence from Mitchell comes after he addressed his costly suspension by apologising to teammates.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell (pictured) has had a tough start to the season and seems focused on turning things around
Mitchell, who is usually very active on social media, posted the above to Instagram three weeks ago – and hasn’t been heard from since
He also reportedly had a sit down with coach Jason Demetriou and chief executive Blake Solly later that day to tell them he was all in.
Two of Mitchell’s inner circle, his advisor Matt Rose and his agent Wok Wright, reportedly told Mitchell that he should quit the sport if his heart wasn’t in it anymore.
Mitchell told the pair that he was determined to continue – and that he still had unfinished business in footy and with Souths.
News of Mitchell’s apology came less than 24 hours after Phil Gould had questioned whether the suspended fullback retained the thirst to play in the NRL.
NRL great Brad Fittler also weighed in to suggest that Mitchell needs to stop fighting battles on social media, as it is sapping his energy.
Mitchell copped criticism for his vocal protestations against Spencer Leniu after the Roosters star admitted to calling Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ during the Las Vegas opener last month.
Leniu was suspended for eight games for the racist slur and ARLC chief Peter V’landys warned the Bunnies star for trying to influence a judiciary outcome before the hearing after he posted on Instagram that the NRL ‘better deal with this s***’.
Mitchell also engaged in a back-and-forth with Anthony Mundine on social media over the saga.
Mitchell made a heartfelt apology to his Souths teammates and told coach Jason Demetriou and chief executive Blake Solly that he was all in
Origin coach Michael Maquire has left the door open for Mitchell to be called up for the Blues
‘It started this year after Las Vegas,’ Fittler told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
‘They got beat over there (by Manly) and it really amplified from there.
‘He’s been held out there as one of the Indigenous leaders and that takes a lot, I’m sure, of your energy.
‘That’s what happens when you start delving into social media, playing a bit of your life out on the social platforms. It takes a lot of your life.
‘He doesn’t have to touch his social media – people understand his position with the Indigenous fight, and the more and the better he plays football, the better his message is always going to be.’
Origin coach Michael Maquire has left the door open for Mitchell to be called up for NSW, but has urged him to be in the right headspace if he wants to be selected.
‘Everyone knows the capabilities of Latrell, but it’s about making sure he is in the right headspace,’ Maguire told media on Tuesday.
‘At the moment, one thing I know is that in big games, you need your focus right about where you are going. Souths are going through a tough period, but Latrell has a chance to bunker down and really help the NSW team.
‘He has another couple of months where he can put himself into that shape, but Origin games are up there with the biggest games of your life.
‘I want to see that focus from all the players, making sure they are in a good headspace and feeling good about where they are. That helps the make-up of your team.
‘We need all our guys to be playing at their best, including Latrell.’
