LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
"I'm burning inside that I won't be available to help the Rabbitohs make the NRL finals," said Latrell Mitchell, acknowledging his disappointment at being suspended for his recent "grubby" act.
Mitchell, the South Sydney fullback, will be sidelined for two weeks due to an elbow to Tyson Frizell during a disastrous performance against Newcastle.
However, since the Rabbitohs have a bye in Round 26, Mitchell will only serve a one-game suspension, which means he will miss the highly anticipated clash against the Roosters.
This game could potentially determine which team makes the finals and which team misses out.
This situation bears resemblance to Mitchell's suspension at the end of the 2021 season when he delivered a shocking hit on his former Roosters teammate, Joey Manu.
Unfortunately for Mitchell, he was unable to support the Rabbitohs in their push for the finals due to the suspension.
The 26-year-old expressed his devastation at not being able to face off against the Roosters, the team with whom he won back-to-back premierships in 2018 and 2019 before joining Souths.
The intense rivalry between the clubs was palpable during last year's finals series, which featured a heated showdown with a record seven sin bins.
Mitchell acknowledged the significance of the upcoming game against the Roosters, stating, "It's what people buy tickets for, to see.
I put bums on seats, and that's just the game that everyone wants to come and watch." He referred to the memorable "Sin-Bin Sunday" game from last year, which he believes epitomizes the excitement and intensity of the rivalry between the two teams.
Mitchell expressed his frustration at not being able to participate in such a crucial match.
Despite his absence, Mitchell remains an influential figure in the NRL and his performances have often drawn attention.
His suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining discipline and avoiding "grubby" acts on the field.
As he continues to work on eliminating these aspects from his game, Mitchell's absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Rabbitohs in their quest for the NRL finals.