South Sydney are weighing up their next options in the Latrell Mitchell saga, after being told by the NRL their fullback would have to serve his one-game ban next year.
The NRL confirmed on Friday the Rabbitohs' last-round match against the Sydney Roosters could not count towards Mitchell's ban, with the league not satisfied that Mitchell is fit.
Mitchell has not played since injuring his foot against Penrith on July 4. The Rabbitohs said last month he would not play again this season.
After he was hit with a one-game ban for a photo that showed him with white powder, Souths pushed for Mitchell to be considered fit and eligible to serve the ban.
However, the NRL stepped in to end the long-running argument on Friday morning, less than 12 hours out from the Rabbitohs' clash with the Roosters.
"The NRL has informed South Sydney Rabbitohs that Latrell Mitchell will not serve his suspension in round 27," an NRL spokesperson said.
"Based on information provided, the NRL is not satisfied that the player is fit and available to play in round 27.
"The NRL sought clarification and further information from the club concerning the player’s fitness and availability to participate in the match, including a fitness assessment.
"Despite several requests, this was not provided in the time required to make a proper and informed assessment of the player’s fitness to participate in the match this evening.
"The player will serve the one-match suspension when he is fit and available to play in the 2025 NRL season."
After the Rabbitohs' 36-28 loss to the Roosters on Friday night, interim coach Ben Hornby appeared resigned to Mitchell's fate.
"It is what it is, there's nothing we can do about it. There's nothing he can do about it, either. He's been fine," Hornby said.
However AAP has been told that South Sydney are yet to close the door on the matter.
The club did not make public comment on Friday, nor release a statement as is traditionally the case when NRL-imposed bans are handed down.
Officially, the reason is the club wanted to keep the focus on the field ahead of Damien Cook and Tom Burgess' last game, as well as celebrations to honour new immortal Ron Coote.
But AAP understands Rabbitohs officials will consider their next steps in the Mitchell situation over the weekend and into next week, and how they respond.
Souths have previously sought legal advice around the NRL's handling of the Mitchell process, and whether he could be subjected to an independent fitness test on Thursday.
Players are traditionally able to serve bans while injured, with Canterbury lock Jaeman Salmon and Parramatta second-rower Kelma Tuilagi doing so this year.
But the NRL argued that Mitchell's case is different, given he was already out injured when he was accused of bringing the game into disrepute.
The Rabbitohs had been adamant that should not matter, and then sought three separate medical reports to convince the NRL that Mitchell was fit.
The situation at one stage grew even more comical, when Souths attempted to play Mitchell in Friday night's match once initially told he could not serve his ban.
Mitchell also took to social media stating he was ready, and demanding answers from the NRL.
But that push too was shut down, given Mitchell was not named on the Rabbitohs' 22-man team list on Tuesday afternoon.
Ultimately the decision means the fullback will be forced to sit out the first game of South Sydney's 2025 season under returning coach Wayne Bennett, assuming he is fit.
His ban will serve as another hangover in what has been a miserable season for the Rabbitohs, who sacked coach Jason Demetriou in May and will likely finish the year in 15th.
It is also the latest escalation in tensions between the NRL and South Sydney management, with Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly a long-time critic of league bosses.
