Special treatment given to Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker ‘divides struggling Souths’ as superstar slammed for ‘overwhelming’ beer video
- Souths NRL season is on life support
- Mitchell and Walker are under the pump
- The rear whipped for lack of effort
South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has been called out for a series of ‘lazy’ incidents both on and off the pitch as it was reported the full-back and Cody Walker were given preferential treatment at Redfern .
After roaming the NRL for the first half of the season, the Rabbitohs have fallen badly and will need to beat old foes the Roosters in the final round to have any hope of playing the final.
With the club struggling, the microscope was applied to superstars Mitchell and Walker, with the $1million full-back coming under the greatest scrutiny.
Fox Sports analyst Braith Anasta slammed Mitchell for a series of lackluster efforts in Sunday’s loss to Newcastle Knights, while the vision emerged of Mitchell pulling a can of beer on stage during of a Luke Combs concert a few days before.
It comes after New Corp reported head coach Jason Demetriou had a heated clash with star half Cody Walker following their loss to the Sharks in Round 23.
There are also ‘growing internal unrest’ in the squad because Demetriou wouldn’t ‘hold them to the same standards as the rest of the club’, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
That worries Souths assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris, the publication says.
Mitchell was criticized for a number of plays during the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Knights and also for drinking beer on stage with country singer Luke Combs a few days prior.
Cody Walker is also under the microscope after apparently having a heated clash with head coach Jason Demetriou following the club’s loss to the Sharks.
Mitchell went to the Combs concert on Knight Wednesday ahead of the season-clinching clash against the Knights
“There’s a story that just came out that Latrell and Cody aren’t being held to the same standards as other players on the team, it’s getting stronger and stronger,” Anasta said.
“Discipline comes from standards that come from training that comes from practicing the standards set in training on the football pitch. They are last in errors, second to last in completion rates.
For many, the sight of Mitchell drinking beer and living his best life on the Wednesday before the season-clinching clash against Newcastle was a bad sight.
“He looked out of shape and out of shape during the game. He looked much better when he came back from USA (last season),’ one fan fumed.
“Fatrell…needs to avoid beer and start training again,” posted another.
“Latrell should have done his shotgun with Luke Combs during ‘Going Going’ as a touching tribute to Souths 2023 season,” wrote another.
‘Not surprised at all! Bloke wants to be the ‘main man’ and a ‘role model’, but with the season on the line, two minutes to go, he dives at a player’s head with an elbow… And that after pulling beers in midweek at a concert. I like it sometimes. But man, he’s selfish,’ another frustrated fan added.
Mitchell had a mixed sack in the Bunnies’ loss with 24 carries for a game 204 rushing yards and 12 tackle jumps, but also had three errors and a late-game infatuation that saw him sin for giving a elbow Tyson Frizzell in the head. .
That defensive read where Mitchell passed winger Greg Marzhew was called by Brait Anasta
Anasta also highlighted that moment Mitchell was left in backplay during an offensive raid
Anasta also called out Mitchell for several moments both in defense and attack where he thought the Souths full-back hadn’t tried hard enough.
“Everyone just wraps it up, but let’s be honest the standards have gone down, the discipline is poor,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
‘This is the first try. Look at this from Latrell Mitchell, your rear. Doesn’t even run or shift into second gear.
“These are the first three tries of the game. They are just small disciplinary errors.
Anasta also pointed to another moment in the first half when Mitchell walked slowly into the back game without getting involved in an offensive raid.
“It’s the most important thing for me,” Anasta said.
‘Look at Latrell here. I think if they take a break here, the back should be inside. Taane Milne looks to kick and watch where the back is.
“Tell me another full-back in the field who stands still like that and doesn’t support the middle of the ruck.”
