Wayne Bennett hits Latrell Mitchell with 'simple' truth amid big call on NRL photo furore
Bennett has vowed to get troubled Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell back on track.
Wayne Bennett has vowed to help get troubled Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell back on track when he returns to South Sydney next season. On Thursday, the NRL issued Mitchell with a breach notice 'for bringing the game into disrepute' over a 'white powder' photo, with the Souths star given five days to respond.
The photo in question was taken during Mitchell's trip to Dubbo last weekend, where he participated in community work and a kids training clinic. The picture shows him bending over a table containing what appears to be a white powder.
After Mitchell responds to the breach notice, the NRL will determine the appropriate punishment, which Channel 9's Danny Weidler predicts will be a one-game ban. "The NRL say that Latrell is guilty of bringing the game into disrepute because of that image that did surface," Weidler said on Channel 9 on Thursday night. "The NRL issued a media release where they said he was receiving a breach notice but at no point did they announce a punishment.
"My understanding is Latrell Mitchell will get a one-game ban and a fine of less than $25,000. The NRL has no way of proving what took place in that photo, but is worth noting that Latrell Mitchell did not take, distribute, or put the photo on social media."
The Souths star will also meet with the Rabbitohs board to discuss how to move forward. The fullback is currently sidelined with a foot injury, and the Bunnies revealed on Friday that he has been put on leave.
Interim Souths coach Ben Hornby confirmed regardless of any sanction handed down he won't play again this season due to a combination of the photo controversy and a slower-than-expected recovery from a foot injury. Hornby has been communicating with Mitchell over text and says he was "doing okay" ahead of a meeting with the board where his million-dollar-a-season contract is set to be discussed. “I’ve only been in text conversation with him, but he’s OK,” Hornby said on Friday.
“I think for the fans it’s disappointing, but for us, we’ve got to worry about what we can control. He’s missed two weeks of training because he was sick last week, so he won’t get back this year.”
Wayne Bennett throws support behind Latrell Mitchell
Mitchell's coach for next year, Bennett, has weighed in on the drama, stating that he is yet to speak to the 27-year-old but he is sure he would be "upset with himself". Bennett, who will rejoin the Rabbitohs in 2025, was in charge when Mitchell joined Souths and the pair have shared a close bond ever since
The Dolphins mentor on Friday said when he arrives at Redfern he will provide guidance to the Souths fullback and give him the help that he needs. "I'll look forward to it. I will be there for him and I hope I can give them the help that he needs," Bennett said.
"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. 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. "Worry is not the word I would use. I am not giving any counselling on the TV news here today. The club is handling it. I know he would be upset with himself. We've just got to get it sorted out and move forward."
Wayne Bennett expects Latrell Mitchell to bounce back in 2025
The Dolphins coach is confident Mitchell can put the latest incident behind him and bounce back in 2025. "If you have his ability, it is not hard. At the end of the day, he is a football player and it is what he does on the field he should be remembered for. That's the key," Bennett said.
"Not what he does off the field. It shouldn't be the headline. He is a great player and I am sure he will get it right." Bennett said that any person involved in the NRL had to face the fact they are under different scrutiny than others and said personal responsibility was paramount.
"It is not easy. Most businesses in Australia would fail if they were under the scrutiny we are under. We are under an enormous amount of scrutiny," he said.
"That doesn't give us the reason to do what is not right. The reality is that if you decide to coach in the NRL if you decide to play in the NRL or be an official in the NRL, you are under different rules to everyone else in society.
"If you can't handle that, then don't do the job. Go and be a part of society, otherwise, you will be under scrutiny and you have to learn to live with it and change your behaviour. It is as simple as that."
with AAP
