Latrell Mitchell has expressed his strong commitment to the Rabbitohs this season, however one former NRL star has his doubts on whether the Souths fullback plays again in 2024.
Mitchell copped a three-match suspension for raising an elbow to the face of Warriors star Shaun Johnson last week amid South Sydney’s poor 1-4 start which sees them last on the premiership ladder.
The underwhelming form from the Bunnies is likely to cost coach Jason Demetriou his job, but despite the turbulence the club is going through, Mitchell isn’t shying away from the fight.
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“There’s speculation that Latrell’s over footy but one thing that came out of the meeting was that Latrell is committed to the club, committed to rugby league and committed to getting back to the Latrell Mitchell that helps the footy club be successful,” The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read said Tuesday night on NRL360.
However, Rogers says he “won’t be shocked” if Mitchell takes a hiatus from rugby league.
“I won’t be shocked if we don’t see him play again this year,” Rogers said on SEN.
“He will have three weeks off, his match fitness will go downhill and he will have to work hard to keep himself at a level where he can come back. I’m not sure if he’s prepared to do it.”
It’s a stunning claim, and at this stage, one that Mitchell or the Rabbitohs have given zero indication will come to fruition.
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Rogers did go onto say that he wants Mitchell in the best possible mindset when he returns as in his opinion, “at his best, he’s the best player in the league.”
“I’d love to sit down with him and ask him where he’s at. He just needs to focus on himself. Don’t talk to the press and get off social media,” Rogers said.
“I know he loves playing rugby league and I want to see him enjoy his footy because all that crap will get out of his game.
“He’s not trying to play bad footy at the moment but I don’t know if Latrell feels that he has enough juice in the tank to give what it needs.
“If he has three weeks off, I don’t know where that leaves him.
“At the end of the day, the game is better with a fit and firing Latrell Mitchell.”
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