-AAP
Trying forward barely to tonight’s second match, South Sydney is not going to be allowed to have Latrell Mitchell serve his suspension for bringing the sport into disrepute tonight.
Souths are weighing up their choices after being instructed by the NRL their fullback must serve his one-game ban subsequent yr.
The NRL confirmed on Friday the Rabbitohs’ last-round match towards the Sydney Roosters couldn’t rely in direction of Mitchell’s ban, with the league not glad that Mitchell is match.
Mitchell has not performed since injuring his foot towards Penrith on July 4. The Rabbitohs stated final month he wouldn’t play once more this season.
After he was hit with a one-game ban for a photograph that confirmed him with white powder, Souths pushed for Mitchell to be thought-about match and eligible to serve the ban.
Nevertheless, the NRL stepped in to finish the long-running argument on Friday morning, lower than 12 hours out from the Rabbitohs’ conflict with the Roosters.
“The NRL has knowledgeable South Sydney Rabbitohs that Latrell Mitchell is not going to serve his suspension in spherical 27,” an NRL spokesperson stated.
“Primarily based on info offered, the NRL just isn’t glad that the participant is match and obtainable to play in spherical 27.
“The NRL sought clarification and additional info from the membership regarding the participant’s health and availability to take part within the match, together with a health evaluation.
“Regardless of a number of requests, this was not offered within the time required to make a correct and knowledgeable evaluation of the participant’s health to take part within the match this night.
“The participant will serve the one-match suspension when he’s match and obtainable to play within the 2025 NRL season.”
Nevertheless AAP has been instructed that South Sydney are but to shut the door on the matter.
Souths have beforehand sought authorized recommendation across the NRL’s dealing with of the Mitchell course of, and whether or not he may very well be subjected to an unbiased health check on Thursday.
Gamers are historically in a position to serve bans whereas injured, with Canterbury lock Jaeman Salmon and Parramatta second-rower Kelma Tuilagi doing so this yr.
However the NRL have argued that Mitchell’s case is completely different to others, given he was already out injured when he was accused of bringing the sport into disrepute.
The Rabbitohs had been adamant that ought to not matter, after which sought three separate medical studies to persuade the NRL that Mitchell was match to play this week.
The state of affairs at one stage grew much more comical, when Souths tried to play Mitchell in Friday night time’s match as soon as initially instructed he couldn’t serve his ban.
Mitchell additionally took to social media stating he was prepared, and demanding solutions from the NRL.
However that push too was shut down, given Mitchell was not named on the Rabbitohs’ 22-man workforce record on Tuesday afternoon.
In the end the choice means the fullback will likely be pressured to sit down out the primary recreation of South Sydney’s 2025 season beneath returning coach Wayne Bennett, assuming he’s match.
You may hear extra about this on the ABC’s NRL Every day from yesterday.
