NRL

Latrell Mitchell is back on the field — and off it.

The Rabbitohs superstar fronted the media ahead of Friday night’s NRL elimination final against the Newcastle Knights and was all smiles two matches into his return from a long and frustrating injury layoff that, at one stage, looked as if it may have ended his 2026 season.

Read more NFL

“You always want to be there for your mates, I just wanted to come back and add a bit of value,” Mitchell said.

“I didn’t really know if I was going to play again this year and I was very happy, I was biting at the bit to get back for my teammates and especially with Wayne (Bennett) too, he’s getting on so I wanted to get back and do him proud.”

MORE: ‘What are you doing?’ Shocked Cleary reveals message to injured Panthers star as contract announcement looms

Asked about the protracted recovery period that saw him miss 12 matches between Rounds 11 and 25, Mitchell admitted it was a frustrating time on the sidelines.

“I was going through the process, getting a lot of opinions and there were some times when it was definitely questionable (if I’d play again this season), the mind is a funny thing,” he admitted.

With his exact diagnosis shrouded in mystery Mitchell also confirmed his issues could all be traced back to a bulging disc in his back.

“Apparently I’ve had it for a long time but at halftime in the Newcastle Knights game (Round 9) it was just burning me,” he revealed.

Mitchell played again in Round 11, but that would be his last NRL appearance for more than three months.

Read more Chile’s CMF Proposes Blocking Payment Services for Illegal Online Casinos

Since returning in Round 25 Mitchell said his focus has simply been on doing his job and having fun.

“Wayne told me he doesn’t need me to do anything special, just let the special things come,” he said.

‘He’ll be right the lad’ says Mitchell of Toby Rodwell

One of those ‘special things’ was his epic shot that left young Roosters half Toby Rodwell prone on the Allianz Stadium turf last Friday night, much to the annoyance of several Roosters players.

“I do wish him (Rodwell) the best, it was just a welcome to first grade thing, he’ll be right the lad,” Mitchell quipped when asked of the moment, before also suggesting if the Roosters weren’t happy perhaps they shouldn’t have rested their first-grade stars for the Round 27 showdown.

Heading into an elimination NRL final on Friday night after a heavily disrupted year, Mitchell was philosophical. 

“Adversity is always going to be there and challenges will always be faced, it’s all about the way you come out of it… I guess what I’ve learned in my career is they’re lessons, not losses,” he explained.

“I love the team, I love what I’m doing and things are falling into place, I just want to play footy and have fun.”

South Sydney hosts the Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium in Week 1 of the NRL Finals Series. Kickoff at 7:50pm.

Read more 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy qualifiers