Andrew Johns has warned Latrell Mitchell that leaving South Sydney would almost certainly end any remaining ambition of playing fullback, with the Rabbitohs superstar preparing to test his value on the open market amid growing debate over his position, availability and next multimillion-dollar contract.
Mitchell remains contracted to South Sydney until the end of the 2027 season but will be eligible to negotiate with rival clubs for 2028 from November 1.
The Rabbitohs have reportedly decided against rushing into extension negotiations following another injury-disrupted campaign, potentially allowing one of rugby league’s most recognisable players to determine what competing clubs would be prepared to offer.
Mitchell is reportedly earning more than $1 million per season under his existing contract.
However, the 29-year-old has played only 34 NRL matches across the past three seasons and is no longer occupying the fullback position that helped justify his current salary.
Johns believes any club attempting to recruit Mitchell would also view him exclusively as a centre.
“He did leave the Roosters to play fullback at South Sydney,” Johns said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“He wouldn’t be playing fullback if he goes to another club now. It would purely be that left centre position.”
Mitchell’s Position Changes His Contract Value
Mitchell originally left the Sydney Roosters because James Tedesco prevented him from establishing himself in his preferred No.1 position.
South Sydney offered him the opportunity to become a fullback and eventually rewarded him with the type of contract normally reserved for elite members of a team’s spine.
That calculation has now changed.
Wayne Bennett moved Mitchell permanently into the centres during 2026, preferring the speed and work rate of Jye Gray and later Mat Dufty at fullback.
Mitchell remains capable of influencing a match from the left edge. His size, passing, kicking and ability to create opportunities close to the try line arguably make him the competition’s most dangerous centre when healthy.
However, an elite centre does not necessarily carry the same salary-cap value as an elite fullback, halfback or five-eighth.
Fullbacks are expected to cover enormous distances, organise defensive numbers, return kicks, support through the middle and become heavily involved on both sides of the field.
A centre has fewer opportunities to influence the game and can be avoided by opponents directing their attack elsewhere.
Mitchell is talented enough to overcome some of those positional limitations, but South Sydney must still determine whether paying more than $1 million for an outside back represents the best use of its salary cap.
Availability Has Become the Greater Concern
Mitchell’s ability is not the central issue confronting the Rabbitohs.
His availability is.
The two-time premiership winner began 2026 in dangerous form before a back problem and associated nerve complications kept him sidelined for an extended period.
He returned for the closing stages of the season but could not prevent South Sydney from being eliminated by Newcastle in the opening week of the finals.
Mitchell was restricted to 34 appearances across the past three seasons, meaning the Rabbitohs have regularly been required to construct their attack without one of their highest-paid players.
That record makes a lucrative long-term extension difficult to justify without protection for the club.
South Sydney could propose a contract containing performance or appearance incentives, rewarding Mitchell heavily when he remains healthy and contributes consistently.
Mitchell’s management may instead argue that his unique ability and commercial appeal warrant another guaranteed marquee salary.
Both positions would be understandable.
The Rabbitohs should not pretend Mitchell is easily replaceable. Very few players possess his combination of strength, skill and big-match temperament.
Mitchell must also recognise that potential value is different from dependable value. Clubs cannot build their salary cap around what a player might produce if he spends large portions of each season unavailable.
Gallen Understands Mitchell Testing the Market
Paul Gallen believes the arrival of the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs gives leading players a legitimate reason to discover their market value.
Mitchell will be part of an extraordinary free-agent group that could also include Nathan Cleary, Sam Walker and Cameron Munster.
“I suppose with these new franchises coming in, players want to know their worth,” Gallen said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“I imagine Latrell is on a decent wicket there at South Sydney, and he has been a great player for them, but I guess he wants to test his worth.
“I can sort of understand players wanting to do it at the moment, with these new teams coming in.”
Gallen also pointed to Mitchell’s move from the Roosters to arch-rivals South Sydney as evidence that he would consider another major transfer.
“He left the Roosters to go to South Sydney, which is their arch enemy. So if the money is big enough, he could leave,” Gallen said.
Testing the market does not mean Mitchell has decided to abandon South Sydney.
It allows his management to establish whether another club values him more highly than the Rabbitohs and whether the expansion teams will pay a premium for a genuine marquee player.
Perth Could Make the Most Aggressive Offer
The Perth Bears appear capable of becoming the greatest threat to South Sydney.
The expansion club will need proven stars capable of attracting supporters, sponsors and television audiences before entering the competition.
Mitchell would immediately become the face of the franchise.
His relationship with Bears coach Mal Meninga could strengthen Perth’s case, while an expansion club may be more willing to accept the financial risk associated with his recent injury history.
Mitchell would bring far more than football ability.
He is one of the NRL’s most recognisable Indigenous athletes, a representative star and a player capable of transforming interest in a new club before it has played a match.
Parramatta, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers have also been mentioned as possible destinations.
Each could use Mitchell’s attacking class, although paying him a marquee salary would create the same positional and availability questions currently confronting South Sydney.
A struggling club may offer more money because it requires a transformative signing.
Whether joining another rebuilding team would give Mitchell the football environment he needs is a separate consideration.
Souths Have Wider Salary-Cap Problems
Mitchell’s future cannot be assessed in isolation.
South Sydney also has Campbell Graham, David Fifita, Brandon Smith, Jack Wighton and Jayden Sullivan approaching the same November 1 negotiating deadline.
The club has reportedly prioritised extending rising forward Tallis Duncan following his breakout season.
Souths must also determine how much of its cap should be concentrated outside the spine.
Payne Haas will arrive on a massive contract, Cameron Murray remains one of the club’s most important and highest-paid players, while Mitchell and Wighton command substantial salaries in the centres.
That structure leaves less money available for an elite halfback.
The Rabbitohs’ inability to consistently replace Adam Reynolds has remained one of their defining weaknesses. Committing another enormous salary to Mitchell could prevent them from addressing that problem.
South Sydney therefore faces a decision involving roster construction rather than simply Mitchell’s individual quality.
Keeping the most talented player is not always the same as building the strongest team.
Bennett Remains South Sydney’s Greatest Advantage
Wayne Bennett’s relationship with Mitchell could still prevent the situation from becoming an outright bidding war.
The pair share considerable trust, and Bennett has repeatedly defended Mitchell during periods of criticism surrounding his fitness and performances.
However, Bennett is contracted only until the end of 2027—the same point at which Mitchell’s current deal expires.
Mitchell must consider whether the environment he enjoys at South Sydney will remain unchanged once Bennett eventually leaves.
The Rabbitohs must similarly decide whether their desire to retain Mitchell exists independently of the veteran coach’s influence.
If Bennett strongly believes Mitchell is essential to South Sydney’s future, he could encourage the club to reach an agreement before November 1.
Allowing Mitchell to receive rival offers creates uncertainty and increases the possibility that an expansion club will propose a contract Souths cannot responsibly match.
Souths Should Keep Mitchell—but Not at Any Price
Mitchell remains the type of player capable of deciding a major match with one carry, pass or defensive play.
South Sydney should want to retain him.
That does not mean the Rabbitohs should automatically match every offer he receives.
A contract worth more than $1 million per season would require greater confidence in his availability, particularly when he is playing centre and the club still needs to strengthen its spine.
A shorter extension containing appearance incentives may provide the most sensible compromise.
It would give Mitchell the opportunity to remain at the club where he has established himself as a leader while protecting South Sydney against another prolonged period without him.
The open market will reveal whether another club is willing to take a greater risk.
Johns believes that club would sign Mitchell as a centre, not a fullback.
The question is whether anyone will still be prepared to pay fullback money.
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