Latrell Mitchell's NRL ban could be the best thing for Jason Demtriou to save Souths job

OPINION: Latrell Mitchell's suspension could actually be the best thing to happen to Jason Demetriou as he goes about saving his job. Mitchell has become bigger than the club and a major distraction to his coach and teammates.

There's hardly a conversation about South Sydney without Latrell's name being mentioned. He walks to the beat of his own drum and can’t be reeled in.

The team-first ethos most NRL players possess just isn't there at the moment. It's his way or no way. And Mitchell doesn't seem to care who he takes down in the process.

The superstar fullback is playing like the world is against him and he's out to right the wrongs himself. His ill-discipline in the loss to the Warriors smacked of a player whose head just isn't where it needs to be to play rugby league at the highest level.

It’s like he's playing in a different game, with different rules and expectations, to everybody else. Teammates have had enough of the Mitchell circus and Demetriou, who was one of his greatest supporters, has also run out of patience and blind loyalty.

Nothing they have said or done is making any difference. Even Rabbitohs fans who have defended Mitchell's hot and cold performances for years are now conceding defeat. They can see the damage it is doing to their team. They don't want him there.

Souths might have a new coach when Latrell Mitchell returns

That's why this three-week suspension for striking Shaun Johnson has come at the right time for club and player. Demetriou can get on with the job of trying to win a football match without worrying about what his fullback will dish up.

And Mitchell can go away and get the head space he needs to work out what his next move is. By the time he returns, there may be a new coach in charge.

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Make no mistake, the talk about Demetriou parting company with the club if Souths lose to Cronulla on Saturday night is real. Even a victory would probably just delay the inevitable.

After five wins in his past 20 games, JD appears a dead rabbit walking. He has lost the support of influential figures at the club and only a miracle turnaround and run to the top eight will save him. How ironic that being without his best player is Demetriou's greatest chance of kick-starting that miracle.