{"id":4969,"date":"2026-05-05T06:08:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T06:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/4969\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T06:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T06:08:08","slug":"south-sydney-superstar-latrell-mitchell-ends-self-imposed-media-blackout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/4969\/","title":{"rendered":"South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell ends self-imposed media blackout"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Sydney<\/a> superstar Latrell Mitchell has made his first press conference appearance in almost two years, declaring his loyalty lies with the Rabbitohs and addressing his self-imposed media blackout.<\/p>\n

Mitchell \u2014 arguably the code\u2019s most captivating star and one of its proudest Indigenous voices \u2014 has kept a low profile for the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

Teammates Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi were scheduled to speak to media at Tuesday\u2019s weekly interview opportunity, but to the surprise of the press pack, Mitchell fronted up.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The 28-year-old had not spoken publicly since the 2024 season, when he was photographed leaning over a table with a white powder in a motel in Dubbo.<\/p>\n

In the same season Mitchell also courted controversy by giving an expletive-laden post-match interview on radio station Triple M.<\/p>\n

He was fined by his club and the NRL and served a one-match suspension over the Dubbo incident, but did not want to discuss the fallout on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\"SouthSouth Sydney star Latrell Mitchell says his time out of the media spotlight has helped him mature. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll leave that one,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

In Mitchell\u2019s defence, he has let his football do the talking to start this year.<\/p>\n

Souths (5-3) sit fourth heading into Saturday\u2019s meeting with Cronulla, and Mitchell has been back to his dominant best, scoring 11 tries in eight games.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot talking to you (the media), that\u2019s probably why (my form\u2019s been so good) … I thought I\u2019d come out and have a yarn,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

He said he chose to break his silence to celebrate the 150th NRL game milestone of Campbell Graham, and said his time out of the spotlight had helped him mature.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon I\u2019ve made myself that to be honest,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s my family. I\u2019ve got to be a leader there and turn myself into a role model for my kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me it\u2019s all about giving back to them and showing them that you\u2019ve got to keep doing what you need to do and not kick stones and get on with the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The transformation in Mitchell\u2019s fortunes can be attributed to his positional switch.<\/p>\n

He had mainly played as a fullback in his previous seasons at the Bunnies, but in 2026 has reverted to centre – the position where he won two premierships with the Sydney Roosters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been good, I approached Wayne (Bennett) and I just said to him that I just want to be a team player,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWherever that is for you Wayne, I\u2019ll do it, I\u2019ll play front row for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a thought among the press pack gathered at Heffron Park on Tuesday that Mitchell would announce a contract extension when there was a loud cheer from the Bunnies\u2019 meeting room.<\/p>\n

Mitchell is off contract at the end of 2027 – the season before the PNG Chiefs enter the NRL – and his agent Warwick \u201cWok\u2019\u2018 Wright was present at Souths\u2019 Maroubra training base earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

Wright was the agent who facilitated Jarome Luai\u2019s move to the Chiefs, but Mitchell played a straight bat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that? Is that a team?,\u201d Mitchell retorted when asked about interest from the Chiefs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Sydney is where it\u2019s at.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitchell is considered a shoo-in for NSW selection and endured a down year at State of Origin level – he has seven tries in 11 Blues games – but failed to cross the line last season when Queensland claimed a 2-1 series victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the Blues, it\u2019s NSW, it\u2019s what we represent,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

NRL great at a loss after controversial Victor Radley decision<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Tigers fullback commits after Jarome Luai\u2019s Chiefs decision<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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