According to Parker’s October interview with SEN Radio, the fullback looked fit for preseason after seeing pictures of Mitchell with his family. “I am actually pleased with what I have seen, and what I have not seen, from Latrell,” remarked Parker.
A number of pictures surfaced the other day, and he was remarkably svelte. He seemed healthy. Hopefully there are some pretty nice things to come. Obviously Wayne’s had a chat to him. But I don’t dislike the fact I haven’t heard Latrell come out and say stuff. Do not be arrogant, Latrell.
Mitchell has kept silent since the completion of the NRL season and appears to have put his head down and gone to work. And last month, Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly stated Bennett’s looming arrival had pushed several of the players to start pre-season early.
“Yeah it’s been an interesting eight weeks since that period when Wayne came down and spoke to the players,” Solly stated. “We just had so many injuries in the 2024 season. A lot of the senior guys have been in here two or three days a week rehabbing and getting physio on their injuries so it almost feels like guys like Latrell, Cody (Walker), Jack (Wighton) and Campbell (Graham) have never been away because they’ve just had to keep getting rehab on those injuries from earlier in the season.
“So I believe in some ways that’s set them up for a really fantastic pre-season and again Wayne’s reputation goes before him. And the players, we have young lads back on deck already who are delighted to be trained by him. And then seeing the older lads in the café or around the building, they’re really pleased to have him back as well and want to make sure that when they start pre-season they’re as fit as they possibly can be.”
