- Mitchell has been issued with an infringement notice by the NRL
- He is expected to be suspended and fined.
- He will not be considered for the position of Australian representative.
Mal Meninga has effectively ruled out picking Latrell Mitchell for the end-of-year Pacific Championship as South Sydney battle to avoid any NRL ban ahead of next season.
Mitchell has emerged from his moon boot and begun rehabilitation of his foot, after returning to the Rabbitohs HQ following personal leave.
With an NRL infringement notice still hanging over his head and doubts over when a one-match suspension will be handed down, Mitchell has had positive scans on the status of his foot.
South Sydney had long held out hope Mitchell could return this season if they remained in finals contention after he was injured prior to State of Origin III.
But even if he is fit, Meninga indicated on Friday that Mitchell would not be part of his Australian squad for the season-ending Pacific Championships against New Zealand and Tonga.
“At the moment we’re not sure where Latrell is, but I don’t think he’s played enough games or is in a good mental state to be in contention,” Meninga said.
Latrell Mitchell, right, has been issued with an infringement notice by the NRL after a leaked photo showed him with a mysterious white powder.
Australian Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Mitchell had not played enough games or was not in the right frame of mind to be considered for selection.
‘Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) showed again last night what a great player he is, he can play anywhere. I’m not quite sure where Bradman Best is.
“Obviously we have Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has played centre. Kotoni Staggs has also had a great end to the year.
“We have some quality players to choose from.”
Meninga’s comments come as the Rabbitohs push hard for any ban handed to Mitchell by the NRL’s integrity unit over the white powder photo to be enforced this year.
Mitchell was due to file his response to an NRL infringement notice on Thursday night after images of him standing in a white substance circulated last week.
There is no suggestion that the powder was illegal in nature.
While details of the sanction have not yet been released, AAP has been told the NRL is proposing a one-match suspension for the full-back as well as a monetary fine.
Mitchell is expected to receive a one-match suspension and a monetary penalty as well.
South Sydney hope to have its star full-back free to play from round one in 2025.
There is also pressure from the front office to enforce the ban early next year given Mitchell’s injury.
But the Rabbitohs are adamant any suspension must be served immediately, allowing Mitchell to start next year with coach Wayne Bennett returning.
Souths are expected to raise issues such as Taylan May’s suspension for an off-field brawl while sidelined with an ACL injury in their submission to the NRL.
There are also numerous examples of players serving suspensions for on-field indiscretions while injured, such as Parramatta’s Kelma Tuilagi this year.
South Sydney are also understood to have the support of the Rugby League Players’ Association, and the issue is likely to drag on into next week.
Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby declined to be drawn into Friday’s debate but said Mitchell appeared to be in better spirits last week.
“The Latrell issue will sort itself out, the club will deal with it and we’ll go from there,” Hornby said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle.
“It’s been tough (for him). He knows he put himself in that situation. He’s starting to get out of it, he’s been much better this week.”
Mitchell is also due to appear before the South Sydney board next week over his behaviour, with the white-hot image coming at the end of a drama-filled year.
