Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett hasn’t given up hope of superstar centre Latrell Mitchell returning this season and has rubbished suggestions his next contract should include clauses to protect the club from potential long-term injuries.
Mitchell hasn’t played since the round 11 loss to the Dolphins, with a lower-back injury then leading to a calf issue that forced him to leave a training session early.
The rep star met with a specialist neurologist last week to get to the bottom of it, with Mitchell remaining a week-to-week proposition as Souths look to secure their spot in the finals.
“We don’t know that (if he’s played his last game this season). It’s a week-by-week proposition,” Bennett said.
“He’s back running now which is good, so we’ll see how that goes.
“Of course I do (hope that we get him back this year) and he does too because he wants to play. It’s not like he’s trying to avoid playing.
“It’s something we have no control over. We have good people around him with experts in their field, so we’ve just got to wait and see now.”
Bennett joked that his marquee man should switch to pickleball if he wanted to avoid injuries, but he was far more serious when asked if Mitchell’s next deal should include clauses to safeguard the club.
Mitchell, 29, has another year remaining on his current deal, with speculation he could be worth around $1.4 million for his next contract.
While he is the most destructive player in the world when he’s fit, Mitchell has only played 31 NRL games since the start of the 2024 season.
It’s why some people have floated the idea that the Rabbitohs should have incentive-based clauses in the deal where Mitchell would earn money based on how many games he played.
Something similar was broached when Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic was off-contract given all of his hamstring issues.
“It’s a terrible idea and I’m not interested in it,” Bennett said.
“It’s just a bit of misfortune that creates the problem. It’s not because him or Tom or others don’t do all the work and all the training.
“You’ve either got a contract or you haven’t. We’re not going to make one up based on how many games you played. That’s not going to happen, not at the good clubs anyway.”
Meanwhile, John Radel will start against the Storm on Friday night with David Fifita copping a two-game ban at the judiciary.
Thomas Fletcher will come onto the bench with Cameron Murray and Tallis Duncan out injured.
Originally published as ‘It’s a terrible idea’: Wayne Bennett shoots down Latrell Mitchell contract theory
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails