Latrell Mitchell speaks out amid backlash to controversial interview after NRL loss

Latrell Mitchell has finally broken his silence and addressed the Triple M post-match interview that has seen the Rabbitohs fullback cop plenty of backlash over the weekend. Mitchell has been the talk of the NRL world in recent days after the 26-year-old dropped a number of F-bombs in an interview with the radio show.

Mitchell became aware he was swearing during the interview - only moments after the contest had finished against the Broncos - but admitted he didn't care. This certainly annoyed NRL fans with many unimpressed with how the fullback handled himself.

The NRL has also been slammed for the decision not to sanction Mitchell for the explosive interview. Mitchell has remained silent since the post-match outburst with teammates Jack Wighton and Cameron Murray both defending their teammate in the aftermath.

And now Mitchell has broke his silence after copping backlash for days. The Rabbitohs fullback responded to a quote from Murray on social media and wrote: "There was no intent. No malice. Let's move on," he wrote. "Great week ahead. Friday night lights."

Mitchell was referring to the clash between rivals the Rabbitohs and the Roosters this Friday. While Mitchell is ready to move on from the furore, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo will reportedly sit down with the 26-year-old at Souths headquarters this week to discuss the incident. The Rabbitohs have lost the opening two games of the season with coach Jason Demetriou coming under immense pressure after a disappointing 2023 campaign.

Phil Gould addresses Latrell Mitchell incident

Former players such as James Graham and Gorden Tallis have both admitted the fullback made a mistake with the interview, but would learn from it. Phil Gould weighed-in on Monday and said Mitchell needs to show 'respect' in interviews if he is going to continue to be outspoken.

"I said very early in his career, if you don't pull him into line now you're never going to be able to and I think that Latrell Mitchell has become bigger than some of the people that are trying to control him," Gould said on Nine's 100% Footy. "For Latrell the only advice I would have at the moment is that if he wants to be outspoken, if he wants to be heard - and he does want to be heard, he demands respect from everybody on all sorts of fronts, he speaks out openly on a number of issues, demanding respect - you also have to show respect.

RELATED:

• Michael Ennis lashes out over 'ridiculous' Melbourne Storm move

• NRL fans call out blatant missed call as Daly Cherry-Evans makes history

• Broncos rocked by bad news about Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas

"And that's all that was the other night, I'm not worried about the expletive language... it doesn't offend me, but at that time at that place on that platform, you don't swear, it's as simple as that. For him to do that is a total lack of respect, a lack of respect for his teammates, for the game, for the media, and the people that are listening at home wanting to see how he felt after that game. He needs to respect those processes as much as he wants people to respect the things that he's passionate about. It's as simple as that."

While there has been plenty of backlash, teammate and Rabbitohs captain Murray was quick to defend Mitchell after the furore around his swearing. “I swear a lot, just not in front of the camera, but that’s me,” Murray said.

“The good thing we do at this club is embrace everyone and empower everyone to be themselves. I’m sure if Latrell had his time over again, he’d be a bit more selective with his words. But that’s what happens when you grab someone 30 seconds after a game, emotions are still running high, you have a competitor who just wants to win, and there’s a lot of frustration in the air. I don’t see too much wrong with it. Anyone who knows Latrell deep down knows all he wants to do is win, he wants to back his team, he wants to be the best team player and empower his team.

“Everyone swears these days, you can’t put a podcast on without hearing swearing, you can’t scroll through social media without swearing. That’s the world we live in.”