Cameron Murray's telling response as cracks appear around Latrell Mitchell at South Sydney

Cameron Murray appears officially fed up with answering questions about Latrell Mitchell, with the South Sydney captain offering a telling response to the latest controversy surrounding his teammate. Mitchell is expected to be hit with a one-game ban for his infamous 'white powder' photo, with Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) pushing for him the injured star to serve it this year, despite interim coach Ben Hornby suggesting he wouldn't play again in 2024.

The NRL hasn't been able to prove that Mitchell did anything wrong or illegal, but has issued a breach notice for "bringing the game into disrepute". The fullback is expected to respond this week, and will also face sanctions from South Sydney when he fronts the club board.

Souths are reportedly looking to insert a behavioural clause into the superstar's contract after a series of indiscretions - both on and off the field. Veteran league journalist Phil Rothfield reported this week that if Mitchell does not agree to have the behavioural clause inserted into his contract, or he steps out of line again at the Rabbitohs, then the club could look to part ways with the two-time premiership winner.

The Rabbitohs have done their best to ignore the saga and focus on finishing a disappointing season as strongly as they can. And Murray said after last weekend's loss against the Tigers that he was proud of how the players "were able to block out some external noise". The Souths skipper admitted he'd conversations with Mitchell but refused to elaborate when asked numerous times about the under-fire during Wednesday's press conference.

Cam Murray 'not keen' to talk about Latrell Mitchell drama

Murray twice said he was "not really keen to talk about" Mitchell, who is currently on a leave of absence from the club. And then when the skipper was asked whether club captains should have an opinion on team matters, Murray said: "I'll keep my opinion quiet. They're conversations I've had between me and Latrell, out of respect for Latrell and everything he's gone through over the last couple of weeks."

The Rabbitohs captain's comments suggest that cracks have started forming at the club, and incoming coach Wayne Bennett will have a big task ahead of him to get Mitchell and his teammates back playing their best footy in 2025. Bennett has vowed to support Mitchell and get him back to his best but dropped an eye-opening comment about the superstar in May, after agreeing to re-join the club.

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“If there ends up being a problem, one of us will have to leave," Bennett said at the time. The veteran coach then qualified his comment by adding: "But I don’t expect any issues. I’m not going back to Souths because I dislike anyone. I know the people there."

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould warned this week not to expect Bennett to be a magic fix for Mitchell and the Rabbitohs and questioned when the penny would finally drop for the star. "Is it too late for him to be a professional athlete that does everything right? 100 per cent it is," Gould said on Nine's 100% Footy. "He doesn't want to do that, he wants to be this Latrell, that's what he wants to be and everyone's allowed him to do that, they've allowed him to get away with it."

The drama around Mitchell comes amid reports the RLPA is seeking to have Mitchell serve his one-week ban this year, while sidelined with the season-ending foot injury. It's a situation that would likely infuriate many fans, with NRL 360 host Braith Anasta admitting this week that such a move would make a mockery of the system.

The RLPA says the NRL's rules state that when a player receives a ban from the NRL "that cancellation or suspension will take effect immediately". And Souths teammate Keaon Koloamatangi says he'd back the Souths fullback to serve any suspension this year. "I'm not too sure what's happening with that but all the boys are behind the RLPA with whatever they do," Koloamatangi said. They've got the best interests of the boys so I'm sure they'll do a good job."

with AAP