South Sydney boss lifts the lid on massive Latrell Mitchell change sparked by Wayne Bennett

South Sydney CEO Blake Solly says Wayne Bennett has already stamped his mark on Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs after addressing reports about the master coach's brutal wake-up call for the playing group earlier this year. Bennett held a one-on-one meeting with Mitchell in September to address the superstar fullback's tumultuous season in 2024 and also delivered a harsh reality check to the players in the wake of their disappointing NRL campaign.

Bennett reportedly put the Rabbitohs squad on notice ahead of the new season after telling the players in no uncertain terms that their attitude, fitness and work ethic weren't up to standard. And Bennett's message clearly resonated with Mitchell, who will miss the first game of the new season after being slapped with a one-game ban and $20,000 fine for appearing in a photo with a white substance while in Dubbo.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Mitchell dropped 5kg ahead of his return to full training, following a foot injury that sidelined him at the end of last season. And Broncos great Corey Parker commented on photos of Mitchell on social media that showed him looking fit and having clearly put in the work required in the off-season to make sure he hits the ground running in 2025.

Mitchell also reportedly replaced a bar at his home with a new gym and posted photos on social media assembling the fitness equipment, as well as a sauna. It's a clear sign the 27-year-old is buying into Bennett's new regime at the club and Rabbitohs CEO Solly told SEN 1170 that Mitchell - like many of the other Souths players working back to full fitness after injuries - have been putting in an enormous amount of effort after Bennett's brutal serve.

Latrell Mitchell and Souths stars buying into Wayne Bennett era

"Yeah it's been an interesting eight weeks since that period when Wayne came down and spoke to the players," Solly said. "We just had so many injuries in the 2024 season. A lot of the senior guys have been in here two or three days a week rehabbing and getting physio on their injuries so it almost feels like guys like Latrell, Cody (Walker), Jack (Wighton) and Campbell (Graham) have never been away because they've just had to keep getting rehab on those injuries from earlier in the season.

"So I think in some ways that's set them up for a really good pre-season and again Wayne's reputation goes before him. And the players, we have young guys back on deck already who are excited to be coached by him. And then seeing the senior guys around the cafe or around the building, they're really excited to have him back as well and want to make sure that when they start pre-season they're as fit as they possibly can be."

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Bennett's biggest task ahead of the 2025 season will be getting Mitchell back to his best and focusing on his footy again. The 27-year-old is on more than $1 million per season but has struggled with his fitness and disciplinary issues over the last two years.

"If you have his ability, it is not hard," Bennett said about the fullback earlier this year. "At the end of the day, he is a football player and it is what he does on the field he should be remembered for. That's the key. Not what he does off the field. It shouldn't be the headline...

"The reality is that if you decide to coach in the NRL if you decide to play in the NRL or be an official in the NRL, you are under different rules to everyone else in society. If you can't handle that, then don't do the job. Go and be a part of society, otherwise, you will be under scrutiny and you have to learn to live with it and change your behaviour. It is as simple as that."