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'Disgusting': Outraged fans condemn Latrell Mitchell's 'dirty act'

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Latrell Mitchell kicks out towards Tigers forward Luke Garner.
Footage showed Latrell Mitchell kicking out towards Tigers forward Luke Garner's face. Pic: Fox Sports

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is staring down the barrel of a potential suspension after two separate incidents against the Tigers that have come under fire from NRL fans.

Mitchell's Rabbitohs came out on top in one of the matches of the season so far, following a chaotic golden point finish to the match against the Tigers.

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Souths eventually claimed the 18-14 win after both sides thought they had scored tries to win the contest in the same passage of play.

But it was two contentious incidents involving Mitchell that dominated the wash-up and left Tigers coach Michael Maguire fuming.

The star fullback was put on report in the first half for a strange collision with David Nofoaluma which could either warrant a high shot or striking charge.

Mitchell swung his arm backwards, collecting Nofoaluma in the head with his forearm after the Tigers winger chipped to set up a try for Daine Laurie in the 33nd minute.

However, it was the second incident that caused the most outrage, despite Mitchell escaping punishment.

The Bunnies fullback made a miraculous escape out of the in-goal area to race 40 metres down the sideline before he was stopped by Tigers forward Luke Garner.

He then appeared to strike out at Garner with his foot to shake his grip, with the Tigers claiming Mitchell actually made contact in the scuffle.

Replays painted a troubling picture for Mitchell, with viewers insisting he should be sanctioned over what many described as a "grub act".

Tigers coach slams incident

The bunker cleared the contact of foul play on the field, but Tigers coach Maguire said it should have been a sin-bin.

To make matters worse, Maguire claimed Mitchell touched the sideline with his boot before making the run that sparked Souths' comeback.

"Garns ended up copping a boot at one stage," he said.

"Technology in the game can refer to that. We end up the other end and we get a penalty against us. Those are massive momentum changers.

Seen here, South Sydney's Latrell Mitchell carries the ball in the match against the Tigers.
South Sydney's Latrell Mitchell could be set for a stint on the sidelines after the win against the Tigers. Pic: AAP

"That hurts, with the technology we've got to be using that.

"I'd like (the Garner incident) to be dealt with straight away, who knows where the game could have gone with that?

"I do not understand why we don't use it."

Ironically, Garner was also placed on report in the first half for a lifting tackle on Mitchell, while fellow Tigers forward Zane Musgrove is also looking at a suspension for a high shot on Mark Nicholls.

Souths are set to face Gold Coast next week, while the Tigers will play Manly.

with AAP

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