Not for the first time in his career, South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has divided opinion among rugby league fans and pundits after he was handed a four-match ban on Tuesday night.
Mitchell was seeking to have his grade two dangerous contact charge for his high shot on Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma reduced to a grade one offence.
The Rabbitohs full-back whacked Nofoaluma in the face in the 32nd minute of Saturday’s 18-14 victory over the Tigers.
During a tense hearing, NRL counsel Peter McGrath argued the Bunnies star failed to show the necessary duty of care after collecting his opponent in the face with an outstretched fist.
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Mitchell’s lawyer Nick Ghabar argued his client was merely bracing himself for contact after the Tigers winger put through a kick.
But the three-man judiciary panel of Bob Lindner, Ben Creagh and Dallas Johnson disagreed, imposing the maximum four-week penalty.
New Zealand Warriors consultant and Channel 9 pundit Phil Gould slammed the verdict on Twitter.
“If Latrell Mitchell deserves 4 weeks on the sideline for that incident, I am an astronaut,” Gould tweeted.
If Latrell Mitchell deserves 4 weeks on the sideline for that incident, I am an astronaut. This game just keeps finding ways to make a fool of itself. Really? 4 weeks? So Latrell was 4 weeks worse than Radley? I must be from another planet. Goodnight all. I’ve had enough.
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 20, 2021
“This game just keeps finding ways to make a fool of itself. Really? 4 Weeks? So Latrell was 4 weeks worse than Radley? I must be from another planet. Goodnight all. I’ve had enough.”
Roosters lock Victor Radley had his grade two careless high tackle charge for his high shot on Cameron Munster downgraded earlier on Tuesday night, meaning he will escape suspension.
Mitchell also found other supporters who believed the ex-Sydney Rooster had been unfairly treated by the judiciary.
Seriously if what Latrell Mitchell did was worth 4 weeks, then Felise Kaufusi should have got 12 for a deliberate forearm to the head of Ryan Matterson.
— The Oracle (@BigOtrivia) April 20, 2021
Kaufusi misses a fortnight while Matterson hasn’t played since.
Other fans didn’t share the same sympathy for Mitchell, who was fined a combined $3,200 for two other incidents involving Luke Garner in the same game.
Judiciary..... Latrell Mitchell "I think he was caught by circumstances" Bwaaaah ! He is a thug that usually roughs up players smaller than he is, just ask Josh Reynolds, the player he coward punched from behind ! Mitchell is a dirty player and a thug ! He should have got more !
— garry1 (@garry182651377) April 20, 2021
Latrell Mitchell was 4 weeks worse than an accidental high shot. All his shit was worse than Radley and Hetherington. It was deliberate on all occasions.
— Steve Rose (@Steve_R_1972) April 20, 2021
In addition to missing the Rabbitohs’ next four games, Mitchell’s ban also rules him out of contention for the 2021 Dally M Medal.
The 23-year-old was the outright leader after amassing 13 Dally M points in the first six rounds.
His hiatus could also hurt his chances of earning a spot in Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues squad for the State of Origin series opener against the Queensland Maroons on June 9.
Mitchell isn’t eligible to return for the Rabbitohs until the Round 11 clash against the Penrith Panthers on May 23.
