Latrell Mitchell reveals reason for Dally M awards absence after ugly backlash
The South Sydney fullback didn't show up to the Dally M awards.
South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell has shut down any criticism over his no show at the Dally M awards this year and said he doesn't need recognition for his off field charity work. Mitchell endured a tough end to the season for the Rabbitohs having been suspended for their ultimate game, which saw them lose to the Roosters and miss out on the top eighth.
The World Cup winning centre then revealed he stepped aside for "someone who deserves a crack" rather than making himself available for Kangaroos selection. This came after Mal Meninga said he was "surprised" that Mitchell wasn't available as he announced his 21-man squad for the Pacific Test Championships.
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And amid the drama, Mitchell was questioned for not attending the Dally M awards having won the Ken Stephen for all the hard work he put in for the community throughout the season. Even more so, there was no recording of an acceptance speech.
While The Daily Telegraph reported Mitchell did in fact send in a voice recording for an acceptance speech, although the file and format was wrong and it could not be used, Mitchell himself has now addressed his now show.
And Mitchell has hit back at critics for questioning why he wasn't there and said he doesn't do all his community work for the publicity or public recognition. "I didn't not show up out of spite," he said on Let's Trot podcast hosted by Josh Addo-Carr and Josh Mansour.
"I just didn't want to go there because I didn't feel like I was doing it for that, the award...That's not what I do it for. I do it for the smiles for the kids. If I can leave an impact or change a kid's life one day then that's my job, that's my reward."
Mitchell said he was setting something up to further help children and it would come to light in the future.
Latrell Mitchell's heartbreaking post after tragedy
Mitchell has put on a brave face after returning to pre-season training with the Rabbitohs on Monday, just days after the tragic death of his 14-year-old cousin. Mitchell was understandably said to be devastated after learning that news that one of two young boys killed in a car accident in northern NSW on Saturday was his relative.
Two teenage boys died and three others were hospitalised after the horror crash in Tabulam, about 60km west of Casino. Emergency services were called to Plains Station Rd after reports of a single-vehicle crash at 3:20am on Saturday morning. A Volkswagen Tiguan reportedly lost control and smashed into a tree.
Mitchell returned to training on Monday and after the session, he also posted a heartbreaking tribute to his late cousin. The 26-year-old shared a photo of the teenager with angel wings on his Instagram story with the caption: “Love ya my baby cuz”, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
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