Page 57 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

NRL

Mitchell

move made

The ongoing saga down under during the off-
season of Latrell Mitchell's future finally ended in
January as he signed a one-year deal with South
Sydney Rabbitohs.
It's been two months of solid media speculation
as to his destination.
The young centre, who is destined to become
a key part in the Australian Test side for the next
decade was linked with moves to North Queensland
Cowboys, Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers
before settling on a contract with the Rabbitohs.
He was reportedly offered a multi-year deal with
the Tigers worth $1 million but turned it down
explaining that it wasn't all about the money, unlike
how it was reported in the media.
"I just wanted to hold off and explore everything
before I came to a decision," he said.
"I knew if I would've jumped straight into that
Tigers deal I probably would've regretted it.
"And I understand where the money was at, but it's
not all about the money everyone made it out to be.
"There's goals in my life that I want to set that
money brings, but then again you've got to set that up.
"For the next 12 months I'm here I just want to
keep striving for that and play some good footy."
It's a cracking signing for the Rabbitohs. If he
prospers in the environment under Wayne Bennett
then I'd expect him to sign a multi-year deal with
the club and become a mainstay for them perhaps
even becoming the next Greg Inglis for the side.

to lift the community spirit, say thank you to the game full of ex-internationals. He played for the
many volunteers and selfless workers who gave so Albion Park City Invitational XI alongside former
much during the recent disaster and bring dollars Socceroos stars such as former Blackburn Rovers
back into the local economy," Greenberg said. star, Brett Emerton . They played NPL champions
"Nothing brings communities together quite like Wollongong Wolves.
Rugby League, our game is part of the social fabric "First and foremost it's a great cause and one
of these towns. This is an opportunity to provide everyone wants to get behind," Farah told NRL.com.
the locals with a small respite from what has "And then also to have the opportunity to play
happened, acknowledge and thank the local heroes, with some of the legends of football, a lot of the
and to deliver a much needed economic boost to Socceroos legends, guys that I've watched for a
the region. long time, it'll definitely be a fun outing for me.
"Everyone I speak to on the South Coast has the "Hopefully I don't embarrass myself on the
same message – we need visitors to come back to field alongside them. Hopefully, my competitive
the area, stay in our motels, eat in our restaurants, nature will kick in once I'm out there.
visit our beaches and shop in our stores." "I'm sure the game will be in good spirits but no
Elsewhere, the Dragons and South Sydney doubt we'll be out there trying to win as well.
Rabbitohs will visit affected communities when "They're tossing up playing me on the left of
they travel to Mudgee for their Charity Shield midfield or up front somewhere. Hopefully, I can
match on the same day while Canterbury Bulldogs get a goal on the night, that would be pretty cool."
and the Raiders will visit schools and local Obviously there are many more things going
community organisations before their pre-season on in Australia both within the Rugby League
game also on the same day. community and outside it to help those affected
More recently, Robbie Farah (pictured, left), by the ongoing crisis and I'm sure everyone's
who retired from playing at the end of 2019, efforts are greatly appreciated by all in the
laced up some football boots as he took part in a country. RLW

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