Why Tom Burgess thinks it would be nice if Roosters fans booed Latrell Mitchell just a week after the star was allegedly racially abused at Penrith game
- Tom Burgess says being booed is a sign of respect
- The Roosters have asked fans to go easy on Mitchell
- Burgess says booing is part of the game
Tom Burgess says fans booing Latrell Mitchell are a mark of respect for the South Sydney fullback’s talent, and Roosters players called on their supporters to sack their former team-mate on Friday night.
Mitchell was booed incessantly by Roosters fans when the teams played at Allianz Stadium in the final round of the 2022 season, but he got his revenge a week later with a brilliant performance that knocked his old club out of the final.
The treatment of Mitchell and other players is a major issue after the Rabbitohs star was racially abused last week while going up the tunnel at BlueBet Stadium at half time.
While it’s impossible to stop the fans from booing him, especially when Mitchell has such a strong history with the Roosters, expect fans to treat him with respect as the NRL celebrates the Multicultural Round.
‘Latrell is a great player who is a leader on and off the pitch. He is loved by the fans,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
Tom Burgess says fans are actually showing respect to Latrell Mitchell when they boo him
Mitchell was booed incessantly by Roosters fans when the teams played at Allianz Stadium in the final round of the 2022 season, but he got his revenge a week later with a brilliant performance that knocked his old club out of the final.
“Obviously the Souths fans love him, but the truth is he’s the type of player every fan wants in their team, so he’ll always get a reaction when he faces his old club.” That is part of the sport.
While passion and tribalism are part of our game, Roosters playmaker Luke Keary wants the fans to fire Mitchell on Friday night in what will be one of the most heated games of the year according to reports. What happened the last time the teams met?
“We don’t want to see that in our game,” Keary responded when asked if the fans would boo.
‘This is a difficult period for Latrell. He has been a part of our family here at the Roosters. We all love him. Hopefully, the game surrounds it.
“He’s going through a tough period, so you don’t want to see our Roosters fans or any other fan go out and constantly kick him, especially in this situation.”
Mitchell got the last laugh in that final match, prompting the two-time first-place winner to change the name Allianz Stadium to ‘Trillianz’.
The reception he will receive on Friday night will be raucous from both sides, but teammate Burgess says being booed by opposition fans can be seen as a mark of respect.
“Rocking fans are part of the game,” he told NCA NewsWire.
Mitchell trains with Souths on Monday before the big clash with his former team
Burgess was one of several players who were trashed in the Bunnies’ final victory over the Tricolors last year in one of the most dramatic games of the season.
“We saw it in boxing on Sunday when Tony Harrison was booed. It’s part of it and you have to expect a little bit of that.
“Obviously there’s a bit of sentiment considering that Latrell came from the Roosters, but it’s more of a reflection of Latrell being a good player. If they boo you, it means you’re doing the right thing.
“Wally Lewis used to get booed a lot, so it’s part of the game.”
