As Latrell Mitchell’s hit on Joey Manu reverberated around the NRL, a family member has filled the world in on his state of mind.
Latrell Mitchell is “not doing too well” days after he ended his and Joey Manu’s seasons in a split second of madness on Friday night.
The 54-12 win for Mitchell’s South Sydney Rabbitohs should have been a victory lap but the star full-back’s six week ban has dominated the rugby league media since the moment that left Manu with a fractured cheekbone.
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The fallout was swift with Roosters coach Trent Robinson going ballistic in the press conference, Bunker official Henry Perenara being stood down and overwhelming fury across the game.
The Robinson rant cost the Roosters $40,000, as the NRL maintained that it did nothing wrong.
But there was also the heated clash between Mitchell and former teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, while Mitchell has received plenty of criticism from across the league.
His teammates have also come to his defence, calling for him to maintain his aggression when he comes back into the fold next season.
The NRL’s attention has largely been on Manu’s wellbeing and for good reason as he was the innocent bystander to the hit that ended his season and saw him get three plates inserted into his cheekbone on Saturday.
Mitchell has taken a low profile amid the storm of criticism.
But Mitchell’s uncle Maurice Goolagong has claimed the fallout has turned ugly for the 24-year-old who is struggling in the aftermath as his partner has been receiving death threats.
“I’ve spoken to him every day and he’s not going too well,” Goolagong told Central Coast’s 107.7 Triple M with Paddy & Rob Palmer.
“He’s been playing that way since he’s strapped on footy boots. He’s a always been an aggressive player, he just likes to win.
“There was no malice in it whatsoever. He was just protecting his line. It was just unfortunate how the tackle happened.
“When he does something right everyone praises him, then there’s one little incident and they’re all jumping on him.
“After this incident here, even his partner has been getting death threats.
“He’s only 24 and off the field – if you met this bloke – you’d have a different opinion of him.
“He’s not doing so well. He’s regretful, you can tell it in his voice. He’s spoke to Joseph Manu and they’ve talked about it and all that sort of stuff.”
Mitchell has been outspoken on social media abuse, having spoken out about racist social media slurs in the past, with two men even charged for racially abusive messages targeting the star earlier this year.
Manu’s family also called for care for Mitchell.
Manu’s father Nooroa told the SMH that the Manu family “feel sorry for Latrell”.
“He’s copping a lot of abuse and we don’t want that happening. We want to make sure he’s going to be all right too,” he said.
“He’s very talented and we know his family, they are really good people. That’s just how we feel and it’s up to Joey how he feels. It was just unfortunate. Joey is ready to move forward and we’re happy as a family. I think the main thing is we move on.”
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