Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr make formal move after NRL urged to block ban loophole

The NRL has been urged to block the applications to allow Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr to serve their suspensions in the All-Stars game ahead of the 2025 season. Reports suggest both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels have officially asked the NRL for the All-Stars clash to count towards Mitchell and Addo-Carr's suspensions, which have carried over into the upcoming season.

Mitchell's rollercoaster 2024 season ended when he suffered a foot injury during the State of Origin series. The fullback didn't play again for the Rabbitohs, despite attempting to make a late comeback. Mitchell then copped a one-game ban and a $20,000 fine after a photo emerged of him with what appeared to be a white powder during a trip to Dubbo for some coaching clinics.

South Sydney did their best to prove Mitchell's fitness at the end of the season, which could have seen him serve his suspension in round 27. However, the NRL knocked back the requests and it meant the 27-year-old would miss round one of the upcoming season.

Although it appears the Rabbitohs are hoping Mitchell will be available in round one with the club asking judiciary chair Geoff Bellew to allow him to count the pre-season All-Stars clash between the Indigenous and Maori teams to be his one game suspension.

And the Eels have followed in the Rabbitohs' footsteps. Addo-Carr is also suspended for round one of the new season having just joined the Parramatta Eels.

Addo-Carr parted ways with the Bulldogs and will miss the first round of the 2025 season as he serves the remainder of a four-game ban that ultimately cost him his job at Canterbury. The move might be a surprise for many with Mitchell and Addo-Carr both proudly representing the Indigenous All-Stars team for a number of years.

Mitchell was the captain at the start of 2024 and has featured every year. However, the clubs would want the fullback and winger available as soon as possible after both teams endured disappointing campaigns. The NRL could very well approve their applications considering recent examples ahead of the international break.

Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau was able to serve two of his three games ban for Fiji during the international schedule. Cameron Murray was able to serve his suspension in the PM XIII game, which allowed him to be available for selection immediately for Australian coach Mal Meninga. And Nelson Asofa-Solomona also served three of his five game suspension for New Zealand in the Pacific Championship.

Calls for NRL to block suspension loophole in All-Stars game

While it appears likely both Mitchell and Addo-Carr could serve their bans, SEN Radio host Jimmy Smith has expressed frustration at the potential outcome. Speaking on confirmation the All-Stars game wasn't being moved to a post-season clash - remaining as a pre-season game - Smith questioned whether Mitchell and Addo-Carr should be able to use it towards their ban.

"Fantastic let's put it up front, but that means Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr can miss the game and serve part of their suspensions for that," he said last month. "It doesn't feel quite right. Why wouldn't you let them play the Indigenous game and let them serve their suspension for the club. Of course the clubs don't want that, but you are talking about the two biggest Indigenous stars in the league.

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"And you are trying to take them away from the All Stars clash. My feeling would be to put them in. I would say 'Ok, you can miss the All Stars clash, but it can't serve as a match'. And then watch them play."

Mitchell would be a certainty to feature for the Indigenous All-Stars having played in the competition in all six editions. Mitchell was the captain earlier this year when the Indigenous All-Stars defeated the New Zealand Maori.