Wayne Bennett issues key refusal about 'changing' Latrell Mitchell amid Josh Schuster gamble
Bennett faces a big task getting both Mitchell amid Schuster firing in 2025.
A defiant Wayne Bennett says he has no intention of changing Latrell Mitchell at the Rabbitohs in 2025, with the master coach also addressing South Sydney's shock signing of Josh Schuster. The 74-year-old Bennett has a big task on his hands to get both Mitchell and Schuster firing next year after both endured difficult seasons in 2024, for very different reasons.
Mitchell was brilliant in patches for a disappointing Bunnies side that finished well out of NRL finals contention in 16th place. But South Sydney's $1.2 million-per-season fullback also copped a three-game suspension early in the campaign before suffering a season-ending injury against Parramatta in round 18.
The Rabbitohs' marquee star was then slapped with a pair of $20,000 fines from Souths and the NRL, and handed a one-game ban for bringing the game into disrepute by being photographed standing over a white powder substance. Souths attempted to convince the NRL that Mitchell was fit enough to play so he could serve the ban in the final game of the season but the move proved unsuccessful, meaning Mitchell won't be available for the Rabbitohs' round one game in 2025.
Mitchell is seemingly on his last chance at the Rabbitohs after a string of issues both on and off the field, with the club hoping Bennett can straighten him out and get the fullback playing some of his best footy again. The veteran coach and the star No.1 have a close relationship and Mitchell was in some of the best form of his career the last time Bennett coached the Bunnies and took the club to the grand final in 2021.
Next season is shaping up to be a make-or-break one for Mitchell but Bennett insists he won't be looking to make any changes to his fullback's game and will encourage him to be himself on the footy field. “I’m not an idiot. I won’t be changing Latrell. I will just let him play, that’s what he does best,” the Souths coach told The Daily Telegraph.
Bennett's comments indicate he's happy with Mitchell at fullback, casting doubts over what role rookie Jye Gray will play after impressing in the No.1 role in Mitchell's absence this year. Bennett is expected to move Cody Walker back to five-eighth and shift Jack Wighton back to centre, but questions still remain about who will partner Walker in the halves.
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The Rabbitohs signed halfback Lewis Dodd from England's Super League and will have to see how he adapts to the NRL, while Lachlan Ilias started 2024 as South Sydney's No.7 but was dropped before suffering a serious injury in a season to forget. The Bunnies have also signed Manly young gun Jamie Hunphreys who impressed at halfback for the Sea Eagles in the absence of Daly Cherry-Evans and is also a chance to partner Walker in the halves.
Souths sign former Manly star Josh Schuster on cut-price deal
Bennett's most eye-opening signing for next season is another former Manly star in the form of Schuster, who parted ways with the Sea Eagles and an $800,000 per season contract after well documented struggles at the club across a number of years. Souths reportedly picked up Schuster in an incredibly cut-price $140,000 one-year deal, which could be a brilliant piece of business if Bennett can help him reach his undoubted potential.
“I gave him a chance because I knew he has a lot of football ability, simple as that,” Bennett told the Daily Telegraph. “He wanted to come to Souths and the money’s not ridiculous. He just wants a chance and I’ll give it to him. He’s only a young man, so he’s not finished at all.”
Schuster played in the halves at times for Manly, before shifting to the back-row. And it appears the enigmatic talent could be set for a return to the forward pack under Bennett after reportedly impressing the master-coach in meetings.
"Cut-price deal. I think it is a great move for both parties. We know how talented he is, we saw it in glimpses at the Sea Eagles," league reporter Michael Carayannis said about the Schuster signing on SEN Radio this week. "Manly cut him adrift and he has taken that time to train hard and refocus. By all reports, he has done that and he looked really impressive. And impressed Wayne in their meetings together.
"And now he gets an opportunity to prove himself. This is basically his last chance. Not too many players, if it doesn't work out with Wayne if given a second chance, get another chance elsewhere." Schuster could add some much needed X-factor to the Souths forward pack in 2025 and league great Greg Alexander agreed Bennett was the ideal coach to get the best out of the supremely talented 23-year-old.
