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NRL urged to take action after Latrell Mitchell caught up in 'disgusting' scenes in Magic Round

The South Sydney fullback copped plenty of boos at Suncorp Stadium - for no particular reason at all.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

NRL fans are calling for the league to take action in an attempt to protect Latrell Mitchell after the South Sydney fullback was booed by spectators at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night for no particular reason. As we have seen over the last few months, Mitchell was booed by fans in attendance every time he touched the ball in the opening stages of the Rabbitohs' clash with the Cowboys in Magic Round.

The boos were particularly noticeable on Mitchell's first carry of the game, and continued every time he touched the ball in the first 20 minutes. TV viewers were taken aback by the ugly scenes, particularly considering the game was played in somewhat of a neutral venue.

Fans are getting used to seeing Mitchell booed at the home ground of opposing teams, but the fact he was booed at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night seemed to add to the disturbing nature of the situation. There would have been plenty of Cowboys fans in attendance, but there were also thousands of neutral spectators who were there because it was Magic Round.

Latrell Mitchell in action for the Rabbitohs against the Cowboys.
Latrell Mitchell was booed every time he touched the ball in the opening stages of the Rabbitohs' clash with the Cowboys. Image: Getty/Channel 9

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Mitchell cops plenty of hate when he does something illegal on the field, but the fact he was booed from the get-go on Saturday night should tell NRL officials it's time to take action. The ugly situation has been likened to that of Adam Goodes, with the Sydney Swans champion booed out of the game in 2015 because he took a stand against racism.

The same thing appears to be happening with Mitchell, and the treatment he received on Saturday night was labelled 'disgusting' and 'pathetic' on social media. Mitchell had one of his best games of the season, scoring a try and laying on two assists as the Rabbitohs went down to the Cowboys 28-22.

Latrell Mitchell, pictured here after a Cowboys try against the Rabbitohs.
Latrell Mitchell looks on after a Cowboys try.

But the booing left a sour taste in the mouths of many, and appeared to take a toll on the Souths fullback. It also came just a week after he and Cody Walker were allegedly racially abused during the Rabbitohs' clash with the Dragons.

One person wrote on social media on Saturday night: "NRL do something about the idiots booing Latrell, it is now getting out of hand…" Another added: "I know he can do some grubby things on the field but booing Latrell his first touch of the ball the week after he was racially abused is gross. It’s so sad how much online and in person racial abuse he has suffered."

The Rabbitohs are entrenched on the bottom of the NRL ladder with just one win and nine losses so far this season. Ben Hornby's side conceded 28 points for the ninth time in 2024, adding to the all-time premiership record they had earlier set.

Mitchell had moments of brilliance, but overall the Rabbitohs' commitment to defence was poor and they remain on the bottom of the ladder after six consecutive losses. "I was happy that we are getting closer (to a win). It's another step in the right direction for us," Rabbitohs acting coach Hornby said.

The loss comes after Wayne Bennett confirmed on Saturday that he'll be coaching the Rabbitohs in 2025. Bennett is expected to meet with Souths CEO Blake Solly on Monday to finalise terms of a three-year deal to return to the club he coached from 2019 to 2021.

with AAP