Latrell Mitchell has declared himself fit and ready to play, calling for answers from the NRL as to why his one-game ban has to extend into next season.
South Sydney and the NRL were still locked in discussions on Thursday afternoon over the Mitchell saga, after Souths bosses engaged legal advice on the matter.
Mitchell is still facing a one-match ban after a photo circulated of him last month with a white powder, the NRL adamant it should only be served when he is fit.
The Rabbitohs responded by submitting the advice of three doctors this week that Mitchell had recovered from his foot injury, and the ban should be served in the final round.
That submission has been knocked back by the NRL, who want further evidence of Mitchell’s availability to face the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
If the Rabbitohs are unable to convince the NRL of Mitchell’s fitness, the ban is likely to have to be served in South Sydney’s opening game of next year.
Among the NRL’s requests was for Mitchell to undergo a fitness test in front of independent medical staff on Thursday.
South Sydney have pushed back on that idea.
In a further twist, it’s expected a submission from the Rabbitohs for Mitchell to be able to play on Friday night if not banned will be knocked back by the NRL.
Under league rules players are only able to run out if they are named in the initial 22-man squad on a Tuesday afternoon. Mitchell was not.
The superstar fullback took to social media on Thursday to make clear his desire to play in the match against his former club.
“I’M READY TO PLAY,” Mitchell posted on Instagram.
“I need some answers?? @NRL.”
AAP has been told there is the potential a decision on Mitchell’s ban may not be finalised until after Friday night.
But that would complicate matters given Mitchell would not be able to complete a fitness test after the fact.
The drama comes after Souths interim coach Ben Hornby said last month Mitchell would not play again this year, citing his injury and the Rabbitohs’ position on the ladder.
But asked directly on Thursday if Mitchell would be fit to play on Friday night if an exemption was granted, Hornby responded: “Yes”.
“He would’ve been (fit to play) but like I said a couple of weeks ago, it was always going to be a long shot with the process.
“It’s in the NRL and the club’s hands now so there’s not too much more (I can add).”
Mitchell has not played since injuring his foot against Penrith on July 4, leaving him in a moon boot for close to a month.
In that time, South Sydney’s faint finals hopes were extinguished with the club falling to 15th on the ladder.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has ruled out picking Mitchell for Australia in the Pacific Championships, meaning the fullback’s ban cannot be served there.
Mitchell was fined $20,000 by the NRL to go along with the ban, while South Sydney also fined him $100,000 with $80,000 of that suspended.
The Mitchell situation has played out amid strained relations between Souths and the NRL, headlined by Solly taking a shot at Andrew Abdo after the State of Origin series.
Ironically, that situation came after the NRL forced Cameron Murray to serve a ban stemming from Origin immediately and in club land.
