Latrell Mitchell breaks two-year media silence to honour Rabbitohs teammate

South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell has fronted a press conference for the first time in close to two years, ending a self-imposed media silence to mark teammate Campbell Graham’s 150th NRL game milestone this weekend.

Mitchell, a Biripi, Wiradjuri, Worimi, and Gumbaynggirr man, has been one of rugby league’s most influential Indigenous voices since his debut, but stepped back from official media commitments after a controversial post-match radio interview in 2024 and a separate off-field incident in Dubbo the same year.

The 28-year-old, considered by many to be one of the most captivating players in the NRL, has let his football do the talking since.

Speaking at the Rabbitohs’ Heffron Park training base on Tuesday, Mitchell made it clear his appearance was about Graham and not himself. “Big Campbell is playing 150 this week — he is one of my great mates, one of my all-time teammates, and I am very proud of him,” Mr Mitchell said. “It is a special occasion this week. I only want to talk on special occasions, and ‘Stretchie’ is that this week. I want to focus on the team and bring it back to them.”

Asked about his form, Mr Mitchell credited his time away from the spotlight. “Not talking to you (the media), that’s probably why (my form’s been so good) … I thought I’d come out and have a yarn,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said his time out of the public eye had helped him mature, particularly in his role as a father and community leader. He said the priority had been his family, being a leader in his home, and turning himself into a role model for his children. He said the focus was on giving back to family and showing his kids what it looked like to keep working without getting distracted.

The permanent positional shift to left centre this season has reset Mitchell’s career. Contemporary reports put him among the NRL leaders in points and line-break assists, with 11 tries in eight games, and noted he had been recognised by his peers as the Rugby League Players Association player of the month for April. The Rabbitohs sit fourth ahead of Saturday’s clash with Cronulla.

When questioned about reported interest from the incoming Papua New Guinea Chiefs, who enter the NRL in 2028 and have already signed Penrith star Jarome Luai through Mr Mitchell’s agent Warwick “Wok” Wright, Mr Mitchell brushed it aside. “Who’s that? Is that a team?” he replied. He is contracted to South Sydney until the end of 2027.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to playing for New South Wales in the upcoming State of Origin series. “I love the Blues, it’s NSW, it’s what we represent,” he said. Mr Mitchell scored seven tries in 11 Blues appearances but failed to cross the line last year, when Queensland claimed the series 2-1.

For First Nations rugby league fans, Mr Mitchell’s return to the microphone is a notable moment. He has long been one of the code’s most prominent Indigenous voices and a captain of the Indigenous All Stars. His decision to break the silence to celebrate a teammate’s milestone, rather than himself, was, in keeping with what those close to him say has always been the truth about the player off-camera.