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Latrell Mitchell forced to serve ban in 2025 as Souths consider legal action against NRL

The Rabbitohs didn't respond in time after the NRL requested an independent fitness test be conducted on their fullback.

riley morgan · sam goodwin
·4-min read

The NRL could be headed for a legal showdown with the Rabbitohs after making a final decision that Latrell Mitchell will have to serve his ban in 2025. The NRL requested more information about Mitchell's fitness from Souths earlier this week after rejecting their initial application for him to take the ban this weekend.

The league wanted an independent fitness test conducted to determine if Mitchell would theoretically be able to play against the Roosters on Friday night, which Souths wanted to use for his one-game suspension for the 'white powder' photo. But the NRL announced on Friday morning that Souths hadn't responded to that request, and determined that Mitchell won't be allowed to take the ban until next season.

Latrell Mitchell.
Latrell Mitchell has been doing some work on the exercise bike at Souths training. Image: Channel 9/AAP

"The NRL has informed South Sydney Rabbitohs that Latrell Mitchell will not serve his suspension in round 27," an NRL spokesperson said. "Based on information provided, the NRL is not satisfied that the player is fit and available to play in round 27.

"The NRL sought clarification and further information from the club concerning the player's fitness and availability to participate in the match, including a fitness assessment. Despite several requests, this was not provided in the time required to make a proper and informed assessment of the player's fitness to participate in the match this evening. The player will serve the one-match suspension when he is fit and available to play in the 2025 NRL season."

Earlier this week, the Rabbitohs submitted the advice of three independent doctors to the NRL, stating that Mitchell is fit and ready to play in the hope it would allow him to serve his ban on Friday night and not next season. But the NRL went back to the club on Wednesday requesting more evidence of Mitchell's fitness, and wanted an independent fitness test undertaken.

Latrell Mitchell watches on.
When Latrell Mitchell (pictured) serves his one-game suspension is still undecided.

Mitchell didn't train alongside his teammates on Thursday, and the Rabbitohs didn't believe the 27-year-old should have had to undergo another fitness test on the foot injury that has kept him out for the last two months. Souths CEO Blake Solly told AAP on Thursday that they're seeking legal advice and may take action if Mitchell isn't allowed to serve his ban this week. "We are taking legal advice on the NRL's request for further information and the proposed fitness test," Solly said.

The Rabbitohs had asked the NRL for a special exemption to add him to their squad for the Roosters clash, after he wasn't named in the initial team on Tuesday. It's understood it would have been extremely unlikely for an exemption to be granted.

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Mitchell was handed a one-game ban and a $20,000 fine from the NRL after 'bringing the game into disrepute' following the 'white powder' photo leak scandal. Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby initially claimed Mitchell had been ruled out for the season, before backtracking on his comments in an apparent attempt to get the ban served this year.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta questioned why the Rabbitohs were pushing so hard for Mitchell to play when fans have already taken a swipe at South Sydney for how the drama is unfolding. “Why are Souths making such a big deal out of this?” he said. “Why don’t they just take accountability for one of their players’ actions, teach him a lesson? He’ll live, he’ll learn, he’ll benefit from it. Serve Round 1 of next year - it’s one game. I don’t understand why they’re fighting so hard.”

There has been plenty of backlash to the Rabbitohs' decision to attempt to name Mitchell. This is partly due to coach Hornby's insistence he wouldn't be fit in time for round 27. However, NRL boss Andrew Abdo denied there was anything wrong with South Sydney's push to get the fullback named this week.

"I don't think it's a loophole," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "An off-field suspension should be served when the player is fit and available to play so he's actually missing a match, particularly if the suspension has occurred post-injury. So it's not a loophole. We'll look at it, work with the club and then make our decision."

with AAP