Latrell Mitchell cops brutal ban after Shaun Johnson elbow amid ugly Rabbitohs NRL truth

The Rabbitohs face three top eight opponents in their next three games as Latrell Mitchell has been slapped with a three week ban for his ugly elbow on Shaun Johnson. Johnson was instrumental in the Warriors' electric NRL display against the Rabbitohs having won 34-4 on Saturday.

While Johnson returned to his best form, the Rabbitohs dealt with a number of brain explosions from Mitchell who was put on report twice. Only 20 minutes into the game, Mitchell landed an elbow on Johnson during a tackle.

Johnson was on the ground and gestured towards the referee after he was elbowed making the tackle on Mitchell. The Rabbitohs fullback was put on report for the first time in the game. And later in the first-half, Mitchell was put on report again after he put Tohu Harris in a dangerous position. Jason Demetriou was left lamenting Mitchell's mistakes after the game when he was questioned on the fullback's discipline in the post-match press conference.

“They’re both just stupid things. He’s got to be better, simple as that,” Demetriou said. “It’s not something for me to talk about now. As a group we’ll be honest and look at things we need to be better at as we do every week.

“It’s balancing emotion over getting our jobs done and the desire of wanting to compete but also controlling our emotions. A big part why we are losing our focus is because we are carrying our divots. It’s not on Latrell.

"There are things he needs to be better at but there are a hell of a lot of other blokes who need to be better as well.” Following the game, the Match Review Committee has handed Mitchell a three-game ban for his elbow on Johnson. The fullback escaped a ban for his lifting tackle on Harris. And despite his rollercoaster form to start 2024, Mitchell's absence could be felt across the next few weeks with the Rabbitohs facing a tough run.

Latrell Mitchell to be missed in Rabbitohs nightmare

Mitchell could fight the three-week ban, but if he is to miss three weeks it could cost the Rabbitohs. Demetriou's men are 1-4 to start the season and could be facing an ugly outcome with their next three games against top eight opponents. Unfortunately, the Rabbitohs face the Sharks at home, the Storm away and Penrith at home in their next three matches.

While a bye separates the fixtures, a loss to the Sharks could be a disaster for the fanbase. Young star Jye Gray is set to make his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs next week with many already calling for a change in fullback. There have been growing calls to move Mitchell to the centres in the wake of his performances. Regardless, the Rabbitohs will miss their best attacking weapon in three must-win games for the club.

Rabbitohs coach Demetriou will be under extreme pressure following the loss with South Sydney moving 1-4 to start the season. Captain Cameron Murray has already claimed the team will address the mistakes made in the clash against the Warriors early in the week.