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Peter Badel
October 29, 2024 - 6:00PM
News Sport Network
Latrell Mitchell has shunned alcohol and undergone a dramatic personal transformation in a bid to save his NRL career after a candid chat with returning South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett.
This masthead can reveal Mitchell has demolished a private bar in his family home to make way for a personal gymnasium complete with weights, yoga mats and a two-person sauna.
Mitchell’s makeover came after a no-nonsense address from Bennett, who told the entire South Sydney squad to report for the 2025 pre-season at peak fitness or risk undisclosed consequences.
Mitchell has no interest in discovering any of Bennett’s proposed punishments as he looks to atone for the white-substance scandal that saw him fined and suspended for one-match by the NRL.
Sources close to Mitchell say the South Sydney superstar has shed at least 5kg and will enter the 2025 premiership in the type of shape that saw him win back-to-back premierships at the Roosters.
Viewed as an enigmatic figure, Mitchell was genuinely rocked by his off-field drama in August.
Wayne Bennett issued a no-nonsense address to Latrell Mitchell over his fitness.
Latrell Mitchell ready to unbox his new sauna.
It prompted the 27-year-old to take stock of his personal life, with Mitchell removing a bar at his home and installing the Latrell ‘Wellness Centre’ as he leaves no stone unturned for a form fightback under Bennett next season.
Bennett formally starts at the Rabbitohs next month and says he has no concerns about Mitchell’s professionalism, backing the NSW Origin sensation to hit back after Souths’ season to forget in 2024.
Latrell Mitchell played just 11 games for the Rabbitohs in 2024. Picture: NRL Photos
“Latrell’s fitness won’t be an issue for me,” Bennett told this masthead on Tuesday.
“I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately but if he’s in shape that’s great to hear.
“He has been dealt with by the NRL and the club (over the white-substance saga).
“I’m not there with Latrell at the moment but I’ll know a lot more about him in a month’s time.
“They are all professionals and Ben Hornby (interim coach) did a great job late in the season.
“Souths were in a tough place (following the sacking of head coach Jason Demetriou), but they got out of that and they are back to being a footy team again.”
Mitchell endured a turbulent 2024 campaign. He played just 11 games and the joy of his role in NSW’s Origin series win was tempered by Souths’ club woes and a Lisfranc foot injury which prematurely ended his season.
Latrell Mitchell’s turbulent 2024 season was headlined by the white-substance scandal in August. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
But Latrell, famed for proving his critics wrong under siege, cuts a lean-and-mean figure ahead of Souths’ 2025 pre-season.
The champion custodian last week posted an image on his social-media account with his family at Sea World, looking noticeably trimmer after an off-season of soul-searching and sacrifice.
Latrell Mitchell and his family at Sea World. Picture: Instagram
Mitchell is on his last chance at Souths and Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly believes the Indigenous ace has unfinished business as he looks to bring the NRL trophy back to Redfern.
“Latrell is leaving nothing to chance in his preparation for 2025,” Solly said.
Asked if the white-substance saga was the final wake-up call, Solly added: “Only Latrell can answer that, but he knows to be the best player he can, he needs the best pre-season he possibly can have.
“He is very keen to put 2024 behind him and show every Souths member and fan what he is capable of on and off the field.
“It’s the off-season, so we haven’t seen too much of him, but whenever I have seen him (at Souths’ training headquarters) over the last few weeks and months, he is as committed now as he ever has been.
“The times I have bumped into Latrell, he looks really fit and everything he has spoken about it is having the best 2025 season he can.”
Bennett recently declared he wouldn’t be tinkering with Mitchell’s game, nor axing him as fullback, and will get the super coach’s full backing to play the Latrell Way.
“I’m not an idiot,” he said.
“I won’t be changing Latrell. I will just let him play, that’s what he does best.
“I have a great bond with Latrell but I’d like to think I get on with most of my players.
“I’m looking forward to reuniting with Latrell.”
October 29, 2024 - 6:00PM
News Sport Network
Latrell Mitchell has shunned alcohol and undergone a dramatic personal transformation in a bid to save his NRL career after a candid chat with returning South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett.
This masthead can reveal Mitchell has demolished a private bar in his family home to make way for a personal gymnasium complete with weights, yoga mats and a two-person sauna.
Mitchell’s makeover came after a no-nonsense address from Bennett, who told the entire South Sydney squad to report for the 2025 pre-season at peak fitness or risk undisclosed consequences.
Mitchell has no interest in discovering any of Bennett’s proposed punishments as he looks to atone for the white-substance scandal that saw him fined and suspended for one-match by the NRL.
Sources close to Mitchell say the South Sydney superstar has shed at least 5kg and will enter the 2025 premiership in the type of shape that saw him win back-to-back premierships at the Roosters.
Viewed as an enigmatic figure, Mitchell was genuinely rocked by his off-field drama in August.
Wayne Bennett issued a no-nonsense address to Latrell Mitchell over his fitness.
Latrell Mitchell ready to unbox his new sauna.
It prompted the 27-year-old to take stock of his personal life, with Mitchell removing a bar at his home and installing the Latrell ‘Wellness Centre’ as he leaves no stone unturned for a form fightback under Bennett next season.
Bennett formally starts at the Rabbitohs next month and says he has no concerns about Mitchell’s professionalism, backing the NSW Origin sensation to hit back after Souths’ season to forget in 2024.
Latrell Mitchell played just 11 games for the Rabbitohs in 2024. Picture: NRL Photos
“Latrell’s fitness won’t be an issue for me,” Bennett told this masthead on Tuesday.
“I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately but if he’s in shape that’s great to hear.
“He has been dealt with by the NRL and the club (over the white-substance saga).
“I’m not there with Latrell at the moment but I’ll know a lot more about him in a month’s time.
“They are all professionals and Ben Hornby (interim coach) did a great job late in the season.
“Souths were in a tough place (following the sacking of head coach Jason Demetriou), but they got out of that and they are back to being a footy team again.”
Mitchell endured a turbulent 2024 campaign. He played just 11 games and the joy of his role in NSW’s Origin series win was tempered by Souths’ club woes and a Lisfranc foot injury which prematurely ended his season.
Latrell Mitchell’s turbulent 2024 season was headlined by the white-substance scandal in August. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
But Latrell, famed for proving his critics wrong under siege, cuts a lean-and-mean figure ahead of Souths’ 2025 pre-season.
The champion custodian last week posted an image on his social-media account with his family at Sea World, looking noticeably trimmer after an off-season of soul-searching and sacrifice.
Latrell Mitchell and his family at Sea World. Picture: Instagram
Mitchell is on his last chance at Souths and Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly believes the Indigenous ace has unfinished business as he looks to bring the NRL trophy back to Redfern.
“Latrell is leaving nothing to chance in his preparation for 2025,” Solly said.
Asked if the white-substance saga was the final wake-up call, Solly added: “Only Latrell can answer that, but he knows to be the best player he can, he needs the best pre-season he possibly can have.
“He is very keen to put 2024 behind him and show every Souths member and fan what he is capable of on and off the field.
“It’s the off-season, so we haven’t seen too much of him, but whenever I have seen him (at Souths’ training headquarters) over the last few weeks and months, he is as committed now as he ever has been.
“The times I have bumped into Latrell, he looks really fit and everything he has spoken about it is having the best 2025 season he can.”
Bennett recently declared he wouldn’t be tinkering with Mitchell’s game, nor axing him as fullback, and will get the super coach’s full backing to play the Latrell Way.
“I’m not an idiot,” he said.
“I won’t be changing Latrell. I will just let him play, that’s what he does best.
“I have a great bond with Latrell but I’d like to think I get on with most of my players.
“I’m looking forward to reuniting with Latrell.”
