Bennett: Fans should judge Latrell for on-field play, not ‘drama headlines’

Wayne Bennett has made his stance around Latrell Mitchell’s white powder saga clear, confirming the superstar fullback is part of his plans for South Sydney and suggesting the Rabbitohs will “get things right” after the drama.

Bennett made it clear he hasn’t spoken to Latrell about the incident yet and won’t be formally until after his The Dolphins responsibilities are all wrapped up in Redcliffe.

“I haven’t reached out to him. I’m not coaching there at the moment, I’m not the coach of there, my responsibility is here. He’s in good hands at South Sydney, he’s a good person,” Bennett said.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Latrell, but South Sydney will handle the matter. They are a great club and they will get it right. They will get it right with Latrell… Worried is not the word I’d use but as I said, I’m not going to give him councilling on the TV news here today.

“Club’s handling it and I know he’d be upset with himself, just got to get it sorted out and move on. Not move on, you’ve got to move forward.”

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Despite repetitively suggesting he wouldn’t speak about the star and his white powder drama as it dragged on through the week though, Bennett was very clear on one thing: Dogpiling on Mitchell for everything that seems to surround him off the field makes little sense when he’s so incredible to watch when he’s playing.

“When you have his ability it’s not hard, at the end of the day he’s a football player and it’s what he does on the football field that he should be remembered for,” the Dolphins boss declared as his final stance.

Instead, the 74-year-old said, fans and pundits should look at his achievements. He’s already an NRL champion and has proven again this year that he can be among the very best in the State of Origin arena, the pinnacle of the game. Every club in the league would want Latrell in their side, including Bennett’s Bunnies next year.

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“That’s the key, not what he does off the field. It shouldn’t be the headline… he’s a great player and I’m sure he will be all right.”