Latrell Mitchell caught up in fresh furore over Souths' push to have suspension served in 2024

Debate has erupted amongst leading NRL pundits after it was revealed on Tuesday night that Souths and the Rugby League Players Association want Latrell Mitchell to serve his suspension this year - even though the Rabbitohs have already admitted he won't play again in 2024. Mitchell is expected to be hit with a one-game ban for his infamous 'white powder' photo, and reports emerged last weekend that he'll have to serve it in the opening round in 2025.

Interim Souths coach Ben Hornby has already admitted that Mitchell won't play again this season, due to a combination of a foot injury that hasn't healed fully, and the toll of the photo scandal. That admission would seemingly mean the suspension would have to be served at the start of 2025.

But according to the Daily Telegraph, the Rabbitohs and RLPA are pushing for the NRL to allow Mitchell to serve the ban this year. RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said the NRL must follow its own rules that suspensions should apply immediately.

Section 22 (4) of the NRL's code states: “If the chief operating officer or the chief executive officer determines to either cancel or suspend the registration of a person ….. that cancellation or suspension will take effect immediately and, thereafter, the chief operating officer or the chief executive officer shall, as soon as practicable, notify the person of that fact.”

Newton told the Daily Telegraph: “The NRL Rules are clear that a suspension takes effect as soon as it is determined. It is not conditional on a player being available to take the field.”

Will the NRL allow Latrell Mitchell to serve his ban while injured?

Discussing the situation on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, Braith Anasta said it would be a bad look and "makes no sense" for the NRL to allow Mitchell to serve a ban when he's not even playing. “Surely if the NRL give him the one-match suspension, the club and Latrell would be aware that’s (for) after his injury because this breach and indiscretion was after he was injured,” he said. “It’s just common sense isn’t it? It would be an absolute p**s take. If you took one of those games that he was never going to play and use that as his suspension... come on.”

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Gorden Tallis added: “If I was the boss of the Players’ Association, you’ve got to make the players accountable at some stage. And with the footage (photo) that we saw, don’t you go ‘hey mate, just cop it on the chin. It was a poor look for rugby league'.”

Leading journalist David Riccio predicted the NRL would go against the wishes of Souths and the RLPA. “I can’t foresee Andrew Abdo not stepping in and saying ‘he’ll serve the ban when he’s fit and ready’," Riccio said. "There’s no other way to see it."

Latrell Mitchell could still be available for Round 1 in 2025

Even if the NRL determines that Mitchell can't serve the ban until he's fully fit and ready to play, there are a number of ways in which he might be able to play for Souths in Round 1 next year. Mitchell would seemingly be in the frame for selection in Kangaroos Test matches at the end of the season, meaning he could serve the ban then. He also might be able to serve the ban during the NRL All-Stars game in the pre-season next year.

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". He is expected to respond this week, and will also face sanctions from South Sydney when he fronts the club board.