South Sydney move closer to controversial move as Latrell Mitchell set for massive injury backflip

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are one step closer to proving Latrell Mitchell's fitness this weekend so he can serve his one-game ban before the start of next season. Mitchell copped a one-game ban and a $20,000 fine from the NRL after bringing the game into disrepute after the photo leak scandal.

Mitchell has not played in the NRL since July after injuring his foot and it appeared he wouldn't return with South Sydney already out of finals contention. Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby had previously declared that Mitchell wouldn't play again this season due to a foot injury and his conditioning, which meant he'd have to serve the ban in 2025.

However, The Daily Telegraph reported the Rabbitohs reached out to the NRL to seek further clarification on how to prove Mitchell can play in the round 27 clash against the Roosters. Mitchell underwent further examination to prove his fitness and South Sydney have prepared their case to prove Mitchell is fit to play this weekend. As of Tuesday, the Rabbitohs had submitted their case and were waiting for the NRL to clear his return so he could serve the ban.

Fans have already expressed their frustration with the Mitchell saga with many feeling the 27-year-old shouldn't be able to serve his ban in 2024 having already been ruled out for the season by the coach. While Mitchell was expected to miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury, Hornby also recently backflipped on his claim the $1.2 million fullback would be out until next year.

The South Sydney coach claimed there was an "outside chance" he would play against the Roosters in a dead-rubber game for the Rabbitohs. “Obviously (he’s) still got a bit of a process there to go through. So he is just trying to tick the boxes," Hornby said on Friday.

"There is an outside chance he could play next week if we needed him. He needs to show he is in good enough condition to play a game, that is the main thing. The first thing is to get him out there running.”

While some players have served their suspension when injured, Hornby's comments have raised questions over whether Mitchell should be able to considering he wasn't expected to return till round one in 2025. While Hornby didn't say Mitchell would not make it back due to his foot injury, the coach claimed Mitchell wouldn't be in any fit condition to play having spent a number of weeks out of training. The Rabbitohs are seeking to use the loophole to make sure Mitchell lines-up in round one next year.

While the NRL have not approved anything yet, it appears Mitchell won't be serving his ban in the representative arena. This is after he copped some brutal news from the Kangaroos coach over his potential selection.

Mal Meninga shuts down Latrell Mitchell selection

If the NRL blocks the move, it's unlikely Mitchell will get to serve the suspension during end-of-season Kangaroos Tests either. Speaking earlier this month, Australia coach Mal Meninga said Mitchell isn't in his plans due to a lack of games under his belt.

"At this stage we're unsure where Latrell is. But I don't think he has probably played enough games and in a good headspace to be in contention," Meninga said.

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"Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) has showed how great of a player he is, he can play anywhere. I'm not quite sure where Bradman Best is. We've obviously got Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, he has played centres. Kotoni Staggs has had a great back-end of the year as well. We've got some quality players we can pick from."

Latrell Mitchell breaks silence after copping suspension

After Mitchell copped his punishment from the NRL and the Rabbitohs board, Mitchell took to social media to address his fans. "Sometimes in life you make poor decisions and I have accepted that as a man/family man/club man I want to do better," Mitchell wrote on social media this week.

"I can take this time now to move forward, look ahead and continue on being the best version of myself. Love to all that has supported my through this. Very grateful."