- Mitchell charged with a hip drop tackle in the team’s win over Parramatta
- On Sunday morning they imposed a first-degree charge on him.
- Mitchell available for selection for NSW State of Origin
Latrell Mitchell is available to be selected for NSW in State of Origin after escaping a fine for a hip-drop tackle in South Sydney’s NRL win over Parramatta.
Mitchell was convicted late in the first half of the Rabbitohs’ 42-26 win on Saturday after being stopped in the bunker for a tackle on Eels center Sean Russell.
He was given a first-degree charge after a game review Sunday morning, but can escape a $3,000 fine if he pleads guilty.
Mitchell’s Origin availability has been a point of contention all season, after rumors he wanted to prioritize playing for South Sydney.
But when Mitchell was asked on Saturday night if he was available for selection, Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby stepped in to say the fullback was.
‘All our players are available. If New South Wales wants them, they will be there,” Hornby said.
“I hope Latrell and Cody (Walker) make the team. They’re pretty good players and they’ve proven that before making the team.
“I know who I wouldn’t want to play against if I were playing.”
Mitchell responded to Hornby’s comments by saying “100 percent.”
The 26-year-old is in a battle with Zac Lomax, Jesse Ramien and Matt Burton for the NSW left center position.
He has not played against Origin since 2021, when he was close to NSW’s best in their most recent series win.
Mitchell has since missed the 2022 and 2023 series while battling an injury.
Football fans were left frustrated with the decision to send Mitchell off in the game.
‘How is that a hip drop? Absolute garbage,” one fan posted on X.
“Friday night Val Holmes was dumped for nothing and now Trell Mitchell is dumped for nothing. What’s going on with our great game?” said another.
Football commentator Warren Smith was also incredulous at the decision, saying: “Latrell Mitchell is outraged.” He can’t believe it and, frankly, neither can you or I.
