Latrell Mitchell called out for 'awful' act as NRL fans blast fullback for rogue elbow

Latrell Mitchell has come under fire again from NRL fans after the Rabbitohs fullback elbowed Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson in the head during the first-half on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors were trailing the desperate Rabbitohs 6-4 in the first half when Johnson put in a grubber 10 metres out.

Mitchell collected the ball and was entangled with a Warriors defender when Johnson ran in to complete the tackle. Mitchell appeared to prepare for the impact, but led with the elbow. Mitchell collected Johnson in the head and appeared to grab Johnson - to apologise - afterwards having realised how flush the elbow landed.

Johnson was on the ground and gestured towards the referee. While play continued, the referee stopped the game one play the ball later. He called Mitchell over and confirmed the Rabbitohs fullback would be on report.

"Latrell, it's been reviewed. It's an elbow and it is going on report," the referee said. Panthers legend Greg Alexander claimed Mitchell was lucky to stay on the field after the bizarre moment.

“It’s little more than a forearm, it’s almost like a swinging elbow. Latrell’s lucky he’s not sitting in the bin for 10 minutes,” Alexander said during Fox Sports commentary. And later in the first-half, Mitchell was put on report again after he put Tohu Harris in a dangerous position. While it will most likely not land him in trouble, Alexander once again questioned the move.

"Well that was silly. Why do it? Why would you do that?" Alexander said. "Latrell puts his arm under him and tips him up. There's nothing in it in the end, but you've given the Warriors an easy out." This weekend has already seen players sent from the field. Roosters winger Dom Young became the first player sent off in 2024 after a horror high-shot against Blake Taafe on Friday night. The Roosters also had Victor Radley sent for 10 minutes for a controversial hip-drop tackle.

And many fans were left wondering why Mitchell escaped the bin for his elbow to the head of Johnson. Unfortunately, Mitchell will once again going to be at the centre of the fallout for the Rabbitohs.

Rabbitohs under pressure after poor half

The Rabbitohs entered the contest with just the one win over the Bulldogs last week. However, the game quickly got away from them after poor handling errors saw them stuck in their own half.

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And Johnson took full advantage of the territory having set up Jackson Ford, before going over himself in the first half. The Warriors ended up running away with the game 34-4 with Johnson putting on the best performance so far this year. Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou will be under extreme pressure following the loss with South Sydney moving 1-4 to start the season. The Rabbitohs play the Sharks next week.