Latrell Mitchell's telling move at home as photo highlights staggering change for NRL star

Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has taken a major step in proving to returning South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett he is ready to give the 2025 season his all. Last week, Broncos great Corey Parker claimed recent photos showed Mitchell looking fit having put in the work during the off-season following a troubled finish to the Rabbitohs' campaign.

Mitchell suffered a foot injury not long after State of Origin and didn't play again for the Rabbitohs as the NRL club missed out on the top eight. To make matters worse, Mitchell then copped a one-game ban and $20,000 fine after the photo controversy that rocked the club.

The fullback will miss the opening game of the NRL season next year, which will be the first game under returning coach Bennett. However, after a conversation with his old mentor, Mitchell is clearly ready to put the setbacks of 2024 behind him and tackle the new season having built a home gym and sauna ahead of a return to training.

The Daily Telegraph claimed Mitchell has dropped 5kg ahead of his return to full training and Bennett told the publication he was confident of the fullback's work ethic. “I haven’t spoken to Latrell lately but if he’s in shape that’s great to hear," he told the publication. "He has been dealt with by the NRL and the club. I’m not there with Latrell at the moment but I’ll know a lot more about him in a month’s time."

Mitchell has posted photos on social media assembling a gym and sauna at his home, and his intention is a huge sign to Rabbitohs fans. The 27-year-old fullback struggled at times last year with his work ethic called out, but he's reportedly demolished a home bar and replaced it with the gym.

Only last week, Parker claimed photos of Mitchell on holiday showed the NSW representative was keeping in shape ahead of Bennett's return. "I saw a bunch of photos the other day...he looked extremely trim. He looked fit," Parker said on SEN Radio.

"Hopefully there are some really good things to come. Obviously Wayne's had a chat to him. But I don't dislike the fact I haven't heard Latrell come out and say things. Keep your nose down, Latrell."

Mitchell has clearly recovered from his foot injury that curtailed the end of his season with South Sydney. The Rabbitohs attempted to prove his fitness to the NRL so he could serve his one-game ban before the 2025 season.

This didn't go to plan and because Mal Meninga didn't select Mitchell for the Kangaroos squad, due to his injury, the fullback won't be available for selection for NRL round one. Regardless, Mitchell isn't the only NRL fullback putting in the off-season work for a new coach.

Reece Walsh returns to training early

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has expressed his delight to see Reece Walsh return early to training after a troubled off-season for the club. The Broncos have endured a number of dramas since the end of the season, which has included head coach Kevin Walters and head trainer Allan Langer depart the club.

The Broncos' dressing room culture has also been called into question with question marks over whether new coach Maguire will be able to work alongside Walsh. And Walsh appears to have already shown his dedication to improve on a rollercoaster season having already returned to Broncos training.

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“Reece has already been back a few weeks,” Maguire told the Courier Mail. “Reece has come back early and I’ve also seen a few others like Payne Haas, Ben Te Kura and Kobe Hetherington. It’s great to see. This is the sign of professionalism and this is how we are going to do things at the Broncos if we want to reach the standards of Penrith and Melbourne.”