LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRL have made a decisive call on the timing of Latrell Mitchell's suspension, ruling that he will have to sit out Round 1 of the upcoming season.
The South Sydney sensation was slapped with a one-game ban and a hefty $20,000 fine by the powers that be at the NRL for allegedly tarnishing the image of the game.
This all stemmed from a controversial photo that surfaced online showing Mitchell in a compromising position with a mysterious white substance, causing quite a stir on social media.
Despite no official confirmation of the substance being illegal, the NRL stood firm in their decision to discipline Mitchell.
Adding insult to injury, the star player has also been battling a pesky foot injury as of late, making his road to redemption all the more challenging.
The NRL made it crystal clear in the breach notice that Mitchell's suspension would only kick in once he proves he is fighting fit and ready to rumble once again on the field.
In the unpredictable world of Rugby League, Mitchell's suspension serves as a cautionary tale for players both on and off the pitch.
With Round 1 looming on the horizon, the pressure is on for Mitchell to bounce back stronger than ever and show the league what he's made of.
Only time will tell if this setback will be a stumbling block or a stepping stone in Mitchell's journey towards sporting greatness.