Latrell Mitchell's brother Shaq speaks out in sad revelation about suspended NRL star
Mitchell was suspended for a month for elbowing Shaun Johnson in the face.
Latrell Mitchell's brother and South Sydney teammate Shaq Mitchell says the sidelined star is dying to return to the game as he is determined to help turn the Rabbitohs' fortunes around. Jason Demetriou's future seemingly hung in the balance ahead of the Rabbitohs' last game where Mitchell was forced to watch from the stands after he was slapped with a three-game NRL ban for elbowing Shaun Johnson.
While Souths didn't manage to win their round six match without Mitchell, their improved performance was enough to spare Demetriou for at least another few weeks. However, he will also have to do without their star against Melbourne and Penrith in the next fortnight.
But if Demetriou can get through the next two matches without being sacked, Shaq says his brother will come back with a point to prove and will step up for the embattled coach and his team. The Souths forward says Mitchell is chomping at the bit to return to the side and do his bit to save their season. "He'll tell you himself, he hates watching," Shaq said of Mitchell.
"He loves playing the game, he loves jumping up with the boys. It's killing him at the moment but it is what it is. He's copped it on the chin and he's getting us ready to ramp up and hopefully, when he comes back, we'll be flying."
Mitchell says since his brother's ban he has been "Mr Energy" and has been thriving in helping stand-in fullback Jye Gray. "He (Mitchell) is very enthusiastic, he brings the energy. If everything starts dying down, he brings it back up," Mitchell said.
"He's been around the game for a while and helps Jye-Boy out. I think it's more a fact of letting (Gray) play his game, just saying, 'It's good to play your game, don't be like me, we're two completely different players'."
Latrell Mitchell may return in the centres
As the Rabbitohs look to turn their 2024 season around, rumours are swirling that Mitchell may return in the centres, where he played for the Sydney Roosters in their 2018 and 2019 premierships. And while Mitchell's older brother isn't sure if fullback or centre will best unlock his potential, he believes both him and Gray deserve a spot in the 17.
"For sure (Gray) should be fitting in there," he said. "Having both of them in the same side is going to be very dangerous. You've got the power game (from Mitchell) and you've got the speedster (Gray) as well."
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Jason Demetriou says No.1 spot is Jye Gray's to lose
Demetriou last week revealed Gray has every opportunity to retain the fullback position even when Mitchell returns. "It’s Jye’s spot at the moment, and if he keeps playing well, he’s every chance to keep it," Demetriou told the Sydney Morning Herald last week.
"You never know in rugby league. Who is available in another two weeks’ time might be different to who is available now.
"I just want him to focus on each week. He’ll get a good prep going down to Melbourne, which will help. He’s obviously got speed, and he’s a real threat who can make a lot of metres for a little bloke. There’s more to come from him, and once he gets settled in, and we get more quality ball to him, he’ll be even better again.
"We said before the game he had earned the right to be here, and he should go out and enjoy it. One game was not going to define him. It’s just the start."
with AAP
