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Kennel Legend
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- Mar 1, 2008
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There seems to be a lot of anger in Latrell's life...From the SMH...
The Canterbury fans who booed Latrell Mitchell would think twice about doing it again if they were aware of the tireless work he does to help Indigenous kids.
That was the simple message from ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who on Wednesday will board a flight to Moree with Mitchell, Cody Walker and NSW Premier Chris Minns – a Bulldogs supporter – to help run an Indigenous program.
Moree, in north-western NSW, is experiencing a surge in youth crime.
Mitchell was booed by some Sydney Roosters supporters the previous week – which was expected given he played for them before joining their arch-rivals – but the heckling he received on Good Friday from Bulldogs fans at Accor Stadium, especially in the first half, evoked memories of the ugly scenes that followed him at different stages in 2022.
The NRL will be keeping an eye on the situation.
Mitchell met NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo this month to address the South Sydney star’s expletive-laden post-match interview with Triple M and his public commentary on Spencer Leniu’s racial slur in Las Vegas, but the game’s boss also listened to concerns about how he was portrayed and treated in public.
V’landys has got to know Mitchell and said he was often misunderstood by rival fans.
“I’m heading to Moree with Latrell and Cody for a program run by the NRL and NSW Police, which is aimed at helping Indigenous kids and helping them stay on the right track, and away from a life of crime,” V’landys said.
“Latrell and Cody are the faces of this program. Some of that booing on Friday would have been sheer tribalism from Bulldogs fans, and they directed it at the opposition’s highest-profile player.
"He makes mistakes – we all do – but if only people realised what a good person Latrell is, they wouldn’t boo him.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood told this masthead this month how Mitchell and Walker were working behind the scenes to combat rising crime among youths in regional areas, and did so “without any fanfare”.
There was a touching moment in the Bulldogs game when Mitchell stayed down and showed concern for good friend Josh Addo-Carr, who was knocked out in a collision between the two on the stroke of half-time. Mitchell was later charged by the match review committee with dangerous contact, but could escape with a fine. Addo-Carr and Mitchell embraced after full-time.
Jack Wighton scored two tries to help Souths notch their first win of the year, but would not be drawn on the booing of his good mate Mitchell. He did, however, admire the way he comforted “The Foxx”.
“I’ve got a lot of love for him and will always have his back, but Trell can talk on Trell,” Wighton said.
“That’s all love [when he stayed with Addo-Carr]. We’re all brothers, and the thing about rugby league, and what I’ve always loved, is that we were fierce and competitive on the field, but the second that whistle is gone, we are all brothers.”
On a brighter note, Souths are finally in the winners circle, which was a boost for the club and coach Jason Demetriou.
Wighton said the intense interest in his new club had come as a shock after spending his career in Canberra. He was also delighted for Demetriou, saying: “I feel for him. I’ve only been here recently, but he’s a great bloke and a great coach.
“What he’s copping, he doesn’t deserve. To get the win for ourselves and for him, it’s huge.
"Canberra's got a lot of beautiful history, but Souths is the oldest club in the NRL, it is based in the middle of Sydney – in the middle of the biggest rugby league support [group] in Australia, where we’re based – so that comes with the territory, that type of pressure to perform.”
Alex Johnston injured his hamstring and is expected to miss next Saturday’s clash with the Warriors, with Izaac Thompson or Jacob Gagai in line for a call-up.
Forget rivalries, IMO the NRL, the Aboriginal Elders and Mitchell's family must intervene to help free Latrell from the chip he is carrying over his shoulder before it's too late...
If he doesn't change it WILL consume him...
It's time !!!
