BREAKING NEWS: Rabbitohs are furious at Mitchell’s reporting.

Fearing that some of the media’s treatment of Latrell Mitchell has racist overtones, South Sydney and the ARL Commission have expressed grave concerns.

While at least one ARLC member has spoken their opinions to the NRL, Souths CEO Blake Solly has shared his ideas with this column.

This could be the reason the club forbade Mitchell from speaking with the media.

Critics of South Sydney would argue that this is an attempt to deflect attention from their appalling run of just four victories in 16 games. Since the 12th round of the previous season, their sole victories have come against the Warriors, Wests Tigers, Titans, and Dragons.

Mitchell has come under heavy fire, largely because he called for Spencer Leniu to serve a lengthy suspension for making a racist slur to Ezra Mam during the Roosters’ season-opening game against Brisbane. Following the Rabbitohs’ round two loss to Brisbane, Mitchell gave an expletive-filled interview to Triple M, which intensified the criticism.

Mitchell has had support from Solly during this and other racial conflicts. He finds certain media outlets’ reportage repugnant. Reliable sources who wished to remain anonymous have informed me that the news has angered at least one ARL commissioner, who has lodged a complaint.

Latrell is the first to take criticism when his play falters and he takes responsibility for his errors, so nobody is being blamed, according to Solly. However, it is absurd to say that the NRL treats him or other players differently just because they are Indigenous.

“Our opinion is not new; I have already voiced my displeasure with the way that certain media outlets have covered not only Latrell but also Cody Walker, Nicho Hynes, and any other supporter of Ezra. Who has said what is known to the NRL. I don’t have to clarify it to viewers of the game.

Some media have had difficulty keeping their opinions about “the Indigenous stuff” hidden. Souths find it difficult to observe, and they want something to happen.

Although captain Trell Mitchell is a difficult person to get close to, Blues coach Michael Maguire has begun to subtly ask people closest to him questions in an attempt to figure out how to get the most out of the Rabbitohs No. 1.

Maguire wants the key to unlock the South Sydney star, he’s told those closest to Mitchell. Mitchell has proven he can be a devastating force in the Origin arena, but he hasn’t featured much recently for the Blues, missing two games due to injury and only seven games in the six years since making his debut in 2018.

Mitchell’s skill has never been in doubt, so Maguire will need him to dedicate himself and be ready for the June 5 opener.

Although it is difficult to glimpse the true Latrell Mitchell, those present at training on Monday were able to catch a glimpse of the man that his teammates adore and hold in high regard. Following his time with some spectators, Mitchell collected all of the trash that had been left behind as he strolled around the players’ area at Heffron Park. Other than a few skulking journalists, there were no cameras on him or anyone else present to observe him.

Mitchell was open and emotional during his meeting with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on Wednesday night, despite his seeming indifference to the world. Mitchell expressed regret for his actions during the conversation with Triple M.

Though his hard demeanor is almost impenetrable, beneath the confidence is a fragility.

Abdo first met Mitchell at his Moore Park office, Rugby League Central. Mitchell has one of the strongest voices in the game, and the NRL boss wants him to make the most of it.

Though his hard demeanor is almost impenetrable, beneath the confidence is a fragility.

Abdo first met Mitchell at his Moore Park office, Rugby League Central. Mitchell has one of the strongest voices in the game, and the NRL boss wants him to make the most of it.

As only he could, Channel Nine pundit Phil Gould summed up Mitchell’s predicament. Gould stated on 100% Footy, “Latrell Mitchell needs to show respect if he wants respect.”

At training, tidying up other people’s mess could be a sign that something has clicked.

Family conflict

An alleged violent incident between top player agent Chris Orr and his son in Las Vegas is being looked into by the NRL integrity unit. Las Vegas police were also made aware of the family event.

Because Orr had a significant role in the management of the NRL’s talent search in Vegas, the NRL is even more interested in the situation.

During my discussion with Orr at the location 20 minutes from the Strip, it became evident that he plays a significant part in the show. When I was at the event, Orr and his brother Gavin were the only agents present. Calls seeking comment from Chris Orr were not answered.

Half the battle: South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias was dumped, and Denver Broncos captain Adam Reynolds showed class by contacting him.

Reynolds has always respected Ilias and is aware of his struggles since the Rabbitohs were eliminated from the championship game the previous season. Reynolds knows exactly what is expected of the halfback, having been a favorite son at Souths.

Reynolds added, “I won’t go into the specifics of what I said to Lachie, but it was something like checking in with him to see if he was OK as a person first.”

It’s not simple to play halfback, and you understand that your responsibility is to take ownership of the outcome. While I don’t think he should have been benched, he has to take some time to heal from this setback and return to the level of play he has demonstrated in the past. However, he is capable of excelling at the top club football level. Remember that he has led his squad all the way to the championship.

F-bombs out of the way

With more players drawing attention to their profanity this week—this time on a Storm podcast with Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, and Ryan Papenhuyzen—the NRL could be forgiven for dropping a few of its own “F-bombs.”

Abdo met with Mitchell to discuss his expletives-filled interview on the same day that the Melbourne trio released a podcast that has drawn attention from some within the governing body. The Storm trio hosts the third edition of The Clubhouse podcast, in which the players talk about Xavier Coates’ incredible attempt from the previous weekend.

In a two-minute video that was uploaded on Fox Sports with the headline “What the f— does that mean?: Munster reveals Bellamy’s hilarious reaction to epic game winner,” the group imitated Storm coach Craig Bellamy and dropped six F-bombs.

Despite the fact that the context is completely different, Souths officials are furious in private at the Fox Sports headline in light of Mitchell’s recent comments. It has also been mentioned that Braith Anasta, the host of Fox Sports’ NRL360 program, manages Munster. Anasta was harshly critical of Latrell for using foul language.

Without footy, cult hero “lost”

One of the most well-known players in the game, Ron Palmer, acknowledges that he is difficult to find a place in football after 53 years in the league.

Many believed that Palmer’s departure from the Wests Tigers,73, marked a happy end to his professional career. He still desires to participate in the game, though.

To put it briefly, Palmer was a player for Balmain, but he also became a trainer for the Roosters, Panthers, Tigers, Eels, Titans, NSW Blues, and Kangaroos, and he eventually became a cultural icon.

Palmer admitted, “I’ve been feeling a little lost.” People will ask me how I’m doing and whether I’m okay when they see me strolling down the street, and I’ll respond that I have this or that planned.

“But in all honesty, I don’t have anything planned, even though I really wish I did. I genuinely want to stay engaged in rugby league because I adore the sport, coaching players, and interacting with professional athletes. Even though I’ve had a fantastic run and consider myself fortunate to have had the time I have, I believe I can still make a bigger contribution to the training field.

“I understand that leading a high-performing team is definitely no longer in my future, but I’d still like to be involved and impart my skills. I’m willing to put in the necessary time since I understand that playing rugby league cannot be done part-time.

“This is not poor Ron speaking; I’m not asking for sympathy from anyone, but when I see people and they ask how I’m doing, I don’t want to have to tell them that I’m fine when I really want to be back in the game.”

Palmer has a long history with players like Phil Gould and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. He spent 24 years with the NSW State of Origin team. Palmer has maintained communication with those men as well as others.

Palmer remarked, “Even [Roosters great] Luke Ricketson asked me how I was going and talked to me about how difficult it was when he had to transition out of the game.” “I want to leave the game on my terms, not the terms of someone else. That’s just how I feel and what I’d like to have when I go into the next phase of my life; it’s not my ego speaking.

Jackson Action

The unfounded rumors that Jackson Hastings, who has long been labeled as difficult, won’t work out with the NSW Cup team of the Knights are hurtful to the athlete. They had the day off on the day Hastings was fired, therefore there was no NSW Cup training run. The following day, at 7am, he was at training.

Wayne and his agony

When the Dolphins crushed the Dragons 38-0 the previous week, don’t even imagine for a second that Wayne Bennett didn’t enjoy beating Shane Flanagan. Bennett has never had time for Flanagan because of the two bans he received for his deeds at the Sharks.

On Thursday, Flanagan met with agent Mario Tartak. Speaking about his good buddy Scott Fulton, Tartak was present. Fulton’s time with the Tigers did not work out, but he still has a wonderful relationship with Flanagan.

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