LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Latrell Mitchell's 2024 season has hit a snag, and it looks like Wayne Bennett and the South Sydney Rabbitohs will feel the impact next year as well.
The star fullback won't be taking the field for the opening round of the 2025 season due to a one-game suspension he is set to receive after a controversial photo surfaced showing him near a table with suspicious white powder.
Despite no evidence of wrongdoing by Mitchell, the NRL has deemed the photo as damaging to the game's reputation and has issued a breach notice to the Souths player.
Reports suggest that Mitchell will not only face a one-game suspension but also a fine for the incident.
Rabbitohs supporters eager to see Mitchell back in action this year will be disappointed as the interim coach, Ben Hornby, announced that the fullback will be on leave for the remainder of the season.
Dealing with a foot injury and a recent illness, Mitchell's return to the field has been put on hold, with the club opting to keep him sidelined for the final matches of 2024.
It's a blow for Souths and their new coach heading into the 2025 season, but they'll have to weather the storm and regroup without their star player for the start of the campaign.
The Rabbitohs will need to find a way to overcome this setback and show resilience as they look to navigate through the challenges ahead.