The weekend that landed Latrell in trouble
It was meant to be a weekend of meeting fans and supporting a local Indigenous footy round, but instead Latrell Mitchell’s visit to Dubbo will be remembered for a notorious white powder photograph.
Now the subject of an NRL investigation, the image shows the rugby league star appearing to lean over a table with the white substance on it. The picture emerged after the star visited the NSW Central West for a range of “personal appearances”.
Latrell Mitchell appearing to lean over a table with a white substance on it. There is no suggestion the substance is an illicit drug.
Last weekend Mitchell and his fellow Rabbitohs player Isaiah Tass travelled to Dubbo where, on Saturday, August 10, Mitchell was billed to host a club night at the local Pastoral Hotel.
The free event in the pub’s club space The Vault was advertised on social media with a picture of Mitchell in his Blues jersey. The advertisement said the fullback would pose for pictures with fans, mingle with punters and jump on stage to “pump up the crowd”.
It wasn’t all partying at the local watering hole. Mitchell and Tass made a special visit to Country Hope Dubbo, a charity helping regional families who have children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
The pair met a young girl supported by the charity who regards Mitchell as her “NRL hero”.
Latrell Mitchell was billed as hosting a party at the Pastoral Hotel in Dubbo.
On Sunday, the two players were mobbed at the Indigenous round fixture at Apex Oval, where they supported the Macquarie Raiders. Mitchell and Tass celebrated with the women’s team in their dressing room after the game.
Local newspaper the Daily Liberal described a “horde of kids” running the distance of the oval to catch a glimpse of the South Sydney stars.
“I love the game, but when it comes to representing your culture and the game allows you do that, it’s very special,” Mitchell told the Daily Liberal at the ground.
“A lot of people get a kick out of it. It’s inclusive and it involves everyone.”
Latrell Mitchell signs hats for fans at Apex Oval in Dubbo. Credit: Facebook
Mitchell’s whirlwind visit was overshadowed when the photograph of the star and the white substance emerged on Monday.
The picture, reportedly taken in a Dubbo hotel room, was offered for sale to media outlets.
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After the image was made public, the Rabbitohs referred the matter to the NRL Integrity Unit.
On Wednesday, Amy Brown identified herself as the woman who appeared in the photograph, posting on social media that there was “no shame” in having a bit of fun.
Brown, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, said she was not aware the photograph was being taken and denied sharing it.
“I was shown [the photo] at the football on Sunday,” she said.
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“Didn’t even know that picture existed until then.”
Since the photograph emerged, Dubbo locals have been embroiled in a social media blame game. Multiple posts have pointed the finger at different members of the community for distributing the picture. All have denied doing so.
Mitchell has not addressed the controversy.
On Wednesday, Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Mitchell had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing and deserved a fair hearing.
“Players understand what the rules are and what they’re not – it’s basically an individual discipline thing for me,” Bellamy said.
“But, as I said, Latrell hasn’t been found guilty of anything yet.”
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