Brutal claim emerges over Latrell Mitchell's Rabbitohs absence after 'white substance' photo

Questions are being raised over Latrell Mitchell's return date from injury after the fullback has found himself at the centre of controversy with the NRL Integrity Unit. The Rabbitohs confirmed on Monday afternoon they had spoken to the NRL after a photo emerged of Mitchell leaning over a table with white substance on it.

There is no suggestion the white substance is anything illegal with the grainy image showing Mitchell with a vodka cruiser and an unidentified woman in the room with him. It is unclear who released the image and it was reportedly taken on the weekend when Mitchell was doing community work in Dubbo.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been made aware of a photograph circulating through social media of Latrell Mitchell following a personal appearance in Dubbo on the weekend,” a statement from the club read on Monday. “The club has informed the NRL integrity unit about the photograph. The Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”

While there is very little information around the image, questions are being asked about Mitchell's potential return to NRL. The fullback is injured and remains a doubt to return in 2024 with the Rabbitohs season ending with disappointment.

The Rabbitohs can not make NRL finals footy as they sit too far outside the top eight. This prompted questions over whether the club would opt to rest Mitchell for the final few games so he could take an extended break from his injury and return next season.

Latrell Mitchell 'not on holiday', according to Michael Carayannis

However, the latest image has prompted questions over Mitchell's potential timeline of return. Andrew Voss asked The Daily Telegraph journalist Michael Carayannis over the controversy wondering why we haven't heard from the Rabbitohs player himself. While Mitchell was doing a great service in Dubbo, Carayannis claimed Mitchell should be, if not already, back in Sydney immediately after the drama. This is because he is injured and not on holiday with the NRL season not yet over.

This is unless the Rabbitohs have told the player himself he won't be playing again in 2024 as he looks to recover. "If it hasn't happened, it should happen today," Carayannis told Voss on SEN Radio, regarding an NRL Integrity Unit interview with Mitchell. "He's not on holiday. We are in the midst of the NRL season. Those things need to happen and need to happen straight away."

Latrell Mitchell adds to Rabbitohs injury toll

Mitchell has not played NRL footy since early July after fracturing a bone in his foot. This meant Mitchell was unfortunately ruled out of the final State of Origin decider, which the Blues won to regain the title.

Mitchell has avoided surgery but it is looming unlikely he will return to the field in 2024 due to the Rabbitohs' season coming to a disappointing end. The Rabbitohs will most likely miss out on NRL finals footy for the second season in a row having parted ways with coach Jason Demetriou in April this year.

They started the season 1-6, before going on a short run of wins. Although this was not enough to get back into the top eight as they currently sit in 15th on 20 points. Mitchell's absence has been compounded with Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Tevita Tatola and Alex Johnston all missing a number of weeks due to injury in 2024.