Latrell Mitchell and Rabbitohs handed boost for 2025 NRL season after All-Stars game development

Latrell Mitchell might have a chance of playing in the first round of the NRL under new coach Wayne Bennett if he opts to forego the NRL All Stars game after reports it won't be moved in 2025. Mitchell has been working hard in the off-season after a turbulent 2024 campaign for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Mitchell was player-of-the-match in for NSW in their Game 2 victory in State of Origin. He then suffered a foot injury not long after and didn't play again for the Rabbitohs or his state. 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.

And despite South Sydney's best efforts, the NRL ruled Mitchell wasn't allowed to serve the ban this season while inured. Mal Meninga opted not to select Mitchell for the Kangaroos, which meant he couldn't use his ban during the international schedule.

This followed speculation the NRL All-Stars game was going to be moved to the end of the 2025 season to give the players more of a break. However, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported the All-Stars game will most likely remain as a pre-season contest next year. While the NRL are yet to finalise the schedule, sources have claimed the All-Stars game won't be moved just yet.

This could mean Mitchell can apply to the NRL and ask to serve his suspension during the All-Stars clash. The NRL could deny the application if they feel Mitchell needs to serve the ban during the season. Mitchell would be a certainty to play 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.

However, Mitchell might not want to serve his one-game suspension for the All-Stars game having passionately represented and captained the Indigenous team in the past. If the clash does remain, Mitchell will have a decision to make. But as it remains, Bennett is set to start his second tenure as Rabbitohs coach without the dynamic fullback in the No.1 jersey.

Latrell Mitchell in shape ahead of 2025 season

Mitchell has made waves in the NRL off-season having been praised for making changes to his preparation. Mitchell has reportedly installed a home gym to better prepare himself for the pre-season under Bennett and and Broncos great Corey Parker commented on photos of Mitchell on social media that showed him looking fit in his time off. Many are expecting to see Mitchell hit the ground running in 2025 after his latest campaign.

And Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly told SEN 1170 claimed the players are already showing they are ready to put another disappointing campaign behind them with new coach Bennett at the helm. "Yeah it's been an interesting eight weeks since that period when Wayne came down and spoke to the players," Solly said.

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"We just had so many injuries in the 2024 season. A lot of the senior guys have been in here two or three days a week rehabbing and getting physio on their injuries so it almost feels like guys like Latrell, Cody (Walker), Jack (Wighton) and Campbell (Graham) have never been away because they've just had to keep getting rehab on those injuries from earlier in the season.

"So I think in some ways that's set them up for a really good pre-season and again Wayne's reputation goes before him. And the players, we have young guys back on deck already who are excited to be coached by him. And then seeing the senior guys around the cafe or around the building, they're really excited to have him back as well and want to make sure that when they start pre-season they're as fit as they possibly can be."