NRL rules that Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr can use All Stars match towards suspensions

Latrell Mitchell will be available for the first round clash against the Dolphins after a crucial decision by the National Rugby League (NRL), in what has been hailed as "great news for South Sydney fans."

The NRL has ruled that both Mitchell and new Parramatta signing Josh Addo-Carr can count the February 15 All-Stars match towards their respective suspensions. Mitchell was previously suspended for one match for bringing the game into disrepute after being pictured standing over a white substance in a hotel room in Dubbo last year.

Addo-Carr was sacked by Canterbury and handed a four-match ban after testing positive for cocaine in a roadside drug test last year. He has already served one match of his suspension, missing the Bulldogs’ semi-final against Manly. Coincidentally, he is now available for Parramatta’s round three match against Canterbury.

Both players are regular participants in the Indigenous All-Stars match, which was taken into consideration by the NRL when making its decision. Mitchell has represented the side six times, including captaining the team last year. Addo-Carr has played for the side on four occasions. Mitchell, 27, played some of his best football under returning South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett. Bennett will now have him available for the round one match against the Dolphins at Sunshine Coast Stadium on March 7, a club he coached for the past two seasons.

Mitchell's availability is a win for both the Rabbitohs and the league, as he will face off against Dolphins superstar fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the match. Rabbitohs legend Craig Coleman said the news about Mitchell was vital for the club as they look to bounce back from a 16th-placed finish in 2024.

“To have Latrell back for round one is great news for all South Sydney fans. You want to field your best team in round one and get the season off to a good start, especially after the last couple of seasons where we have been pretty ordinary,” Coleman told AAP. He also stated, “I’ve seen some photos of Latrell on the South Sydney page and he looks fit. Wayne Bennett is a genius man manager and gets the best out of everyone, and a lot of South Sydney fans are hoping he can do that again with Latrell. Going back four years, Latrell had a great year under Bennett.”

Coleman is a strong supporter of Bennett, who led the team to two preliminary finals and one grand final in his three-year stint from 2019-2021. “Wayne Bennett has been coaching for forty years, coached more games than anyone, and won more premierships than anyone still coaching,” he said. “He took us to a grand final in 2021 and that is exactly what South Sydney needs.”