Latrell Mitchell's $1.2 million contract 'to be adjusted' as South Sydney take strong action

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will reportedly demand Latrell Mitchell agree to add a new behavioural clause into his contract when he fronts the club board this week. Mitchell has endured a tumultuous season - on and off the field - and is expected to be handed a one-game ban by the NRL over a 'white powder' photo.

There's no suggestion Mitchell has done anything wrong, but the NRL has hit Mitchell with a breach notice for "bringing the game into disrepute". As well as the NRL sanction - which will reportedly be served in the opening game next season - the Rabbitohs are also considering what action to take.

According to veteran journalist Phil Rothfield, Souths are fed-up with Mitchell's behaviour and want to add clauses in his contract that will deter him from stepping out of line. Mitchell has only played 11 games in 2024 due to injuries and suspension, but his behaviour off the field has also drawn criticism.

After the opening game of the season there were calls for the NRL to sanction Mitchell for commenting on the Spencer Leniu-Ezra Mam racism case before it went to the judiciary. Under NRL rules, players and officials can't comment on cases before judiciary hearings, but Mitchell strongly condemned Leniu and called for a big suspension before he was found guilty.

The drama continued just one week later when Mitchell conducted an expletive-laden interview with Triple M radio in which he dropped multiple F-bombs after a Rabbitohs game. The fullback admitted he didn't care that he was swearing and made no attempt to apologise.

South Sydney set to demand Latrell Mitchell contract change

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo met with Mitchell to remind him of the behaviour expected of all players, but the Rabbitohs star escaped sanction. The 'white powder' photo has added fresh furore to what was already a turbulent year, and South Sydney officials are finally over it.

Rothfield revealed over the weekend that Mitchell will front the board this week and might find himself without a contract if he doesn't agree to curb his behaviour. “He has to front the board and explain himself what exactly was happening," Rothfield said on Sky Sports radio.

"But also the other behavioural issues including the Triple M F-bomb tirade, the Spencer Leniu social media stuff – all that sort of thing. Souths are over it. He’s on $1.2 million a year and from what I understand they are going to say to him: ‘We want an ironclad guarantee this is all going to stop’.

“To make it stop they are prepared to go as far as putting behavioural clauses in his contract. So, in other words if he does step out of line and bring the game into disrepute as this photo has then it’s ta-ta (goodbye). I’m expecting he will get one final chance but his contract will be adjusted and if he’s not happy with this new clause they will say ‘it’s all over’.”

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Latrell Mitchell set to serve suspension in first game of 2025

Because the Rabbitohs have already admitted Mitchell won't play again this year, any ban he cops from the NRL will have to be served in 2025. It means incoming coach Wayne Bennett will be without his biggest weapon in their first game next year.

"I'Il look forward to it," Bennett said last week about coaching Mitchell again in 2025. "I will be there for him and I hope I can give them the help he needs. I haven't reached out to him (now). I'm not coaching there at the moment. I am not the coach there.

"I have responsibilities here (at the Dolphins). He is in good hands at South Sydney 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."