- Brad Fittler says Latrell Mitchell should stay off social media
- The Southern star’s motivation for football has been questioned
- Fittler has discussed his activism for indigenous rights.
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Latrell Mitchell has been told his Indigenous rights campaigns on social media are a “distraction” and take too much energy away from the NRL superstar.
Mitchell came under fire for his vocal protests against Spencer Leniu after the Roosters star admitted calling Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ during the Las Vegas opener last month.
Leniu was suspended for eight games for the racist slur and ARLC boss Peter V’landys warned the Bunnies star for trying to influence a court outcome ahead of the hearing after he posted on Instagram that the NRL ” “You better get this shit done.”
Mitchell also engaged in an exchange with Anthony Mundine on social media about the saga.
But former NSW Blues coach Fittler, who coached Mitchell during State of Origin, says the fullback, whose future with Souths is uncertain, has been distracted since the Mam scandal.
Latrell Mitchell Has Been Told His Social Media Antics Are a Distraction
Mitchell has been active on social media to promote indigenous rights.
“It started this year after Las Vegas,” Fittler told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
‘They got beaten there (by Manly) and it really snowballed from there.
He has been presented as one of the indigenous leaders and I am sure that requires a lot of energy.
‘That’s what happens when you start delving into social media, playing a little bit of your life on social platforms. It takes up a large part of your life.
“You don’t have to touch your social networks: people understand your position regarding the indigenous struggle, and the more and better you play football, the better your message will always be.”
Mitchell’s attitude and desire for the game have been questioned and the Bunnies star was reportedly called into a meeting with club bosses this week to discuss the matter.
Football expert Michael Chammas believes Mitchell remains determined to continue his career.
But Brad Fittler believes this saps energy from the superstar defender.
“I think he’s nervous,” Chammas told Freddy and the Eighth.
“I don’t think he’s in a good place and I don’t think he handled it like he should have handled it.”
“He’s a guy screaming for help and I don’t know if he’s handling it the right way.”
Andrew Johns added his thoughts, considering Mitchell’s form has been on a downward trajectory since last year.
“Probably from the middle of last year… they were leading (the ladder) and Latrell was on fire,” Johns said.
“But since then, for some reason, Latrell’s form has dipped and South Sydney’s has too.
‘Since then it seems that his mind is elsewhere. He seemed angry on the weekend. (Is it) a cry for help? ‘