Mitchell gets suspension decision reversed

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Weidler well off the mark with that nonsense about the Roosters and the media, but bang on with this;


The NRL’s judiciary system – already a mess – has descended into farce.

It has reached the stage where no one knows whether bans will actually have to be served.

In the first week of the 2022 season we saw Jordan Rapana allowed to serve two bans at the same time. This week, the NRL decided Latrell Mitchell could count the All Stars clash as one of his six weeks out of the game for his hit on Joey Manu.

Naturally, that prompted the Storm and Warriors to demand the same deal for Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh, who were also suspended from the All Stars match. So you had two clubs asking the NRL if they could use the loophole to get around suspensions the clubs imposed themselves.

The NRL, like everyone else, seemed to have no idea what the rules are and dithered for days – and still hasn’t determined the fate of Smith and Walsh.

The bottom line is, no one knows how the judiciary system works. The rules are not transparent and they seem to be flexible. And, yet again, the ruling favoured another strong club in South Sydney.

Amazingly, the NRL insists it’s still cracking down on head-high tackles, foul play and off-field scandals. But, while it talks tough, it goes weak at the knees when the clubs want their players back early.

[Spirit of 66]

What was the point of that article - only re-ignites something that was/should have been put to bed.

He was suspended for 6 weeks for a reason - the base points for the charge was 500 points add the 4 non similar offences 20% loading each that's 900 points less 25% discount for an early plea that 675 points - 6 matches and 75 carryover points.

Even with no loading 500 points and 25% early plea is 375 points - 3 games - so would have missed the GF in any case still.

It can't be the worlds against me and he was hard done by and misunderstood if it was self inflicted though.

These so called journalist need to present more positive stories and not focus on negatives ones and or be the mouthpiece for individual players or clubs beefs

He seems to be suggesting that Mitchell should not have been suspended at all.... That it was just an accident and the Roosters somehow manipulated the situation to get him charged.

What a monumental pile of rubbish.

[mightyrooster]

More play the victim bullshit from Mitchell and Souths - Danny Weidler column

Souths, Mitchell blame Roosters for backlash

Latrell Mitchell said a lot this week, but the line that should be a concern for the game and the NRL is his belief that he is not supported, and almost a loner, in rugby league.

Mitchell made his views known on the state of the game, in particular that the aggression had gone out of rugby league and that we “may as well play Oztag”. Those thoughts are valid and controversial at the same time. Souths and Latrell Mitchell are well aware of the power of the Roosters and the influence they have over sections of the media.

They echo what players say privately, but they are headline worthy because of Mitchell’s last act on the field: an unfortunate shot on his close mate Joey Manu that resulted in a major injury for the Roosters superstar and left Mitchell with a six-game ban. The pile-on that followed the Mitchell-Manu incident was unprecedented. Mitchell was treated like a criminal in some quarters, some even saying he did it deliberately. The commentary around it ended some long-term friendships in the game. And here is where Mitchell feels alone.

“I never had many mates anyway,” was his response to a question about finding out who his supporters really are.

Souths and Mitchell are well aware of the power of the Roosters and the influence they have over sections of the media. The club – or individuals at it – are experts at back-grounding the media, and they benefit enormously from those relationships.

Mitchell and Souths believe that influence was used to attack the star fullback; that any chance the tackle could have been viewed as an accident was overrun by the Roosters pushing another version of events in the media. That’s why Mitchell feels isolated.

Then there is another layer. Mitchell’s departure from the Roosters following their 2019 premiership still angers many at Bondi Junction. Some believe a third straight title in 2020 was achievable with him in their line-up.

When I spoke to Mitchell during the week, he made the observation that “there’s a bit of fuel there that youse used against me”. It’s clear Mitchell has trust issues with the media and, in some instances, he has valid concerns. Mitchell didn’t like the way my story was promoted or presented about him having a go at the NRL – and he is entitled to feel like that.

Of the 15 interviews Mitchell did on Tuesday, it would be hard to find a journalist who did not appreciate that he fronted up and spoke from the heart. It was a mature option from Mitchell, who, in the past, has done his best to avoid the media. He also knows the power of the media, and his management has signed him up to Fox Sports, an organisation he has had issues with.

Fox was less than thrilled that Mitchell gave his best views to rivals, but Mitchell and Souths know if he is in a battle, sometimes it’s good to have an ally. It is hard to forget the rage of some Roosters in round 24 last year. It all sets up for a blockbuster round-three clash.

What a load of rubbish from Weedler There was a time when he used to write lots of positive Roosters stories. What’s happened I wonder?

[Tennessee Tornado]

What a load of rubbish from Weedler There was a time when he used to write lots of positive Roosters stories. What’s happened I wonder?

All these ‘journos’ rely on insiders to get their scoops. When they have one they have to stay on their good side. When they don’t have one they don’t have anything to lose by throwing mud.

[King Salvo]

He seems to be suggesting that Mitchell should not have been suspended at all.... That it was just an accident and the Roosters somehow manipulated the situation to get him charged.

What a monumental pile of rubbish.

Gould had the same view although I think he maybe looking to sign him up for the Dogs

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/leag...u12djt4eku9kl9

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

The article proves 2 things.

1. That many journos aren't interested in reporting on facts but would rather make up crap to sell stories. Too bad for Wracky Weidler, that he isn't a good story teller.

2. If you didn't know already, Latrine can't take ownership for his actions and so finds ways to pass the buck, and play the victim. Heck even I'm starting to believe that Robbo is to blame for Latrine hitting Joey high. And it was Uncle Nick that arranged the COVID catch up on the Fatrell farm during lockdown. It all makes sense now. The Roosters are behind it all. Tomorrow we will be reading an article from Weidler explaining about how Latrine will soon be ordained as a saint in a private cermony with the phone chucker.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

He seems to be suggesting that Mitchell should not have been suspended at all.... That it was just an accident and the Roosters somehow manipulated the situation to get him charged.

What a monumental pile of rubbish.

We have heard this narrative from Souffs before. Remember how Roosters officials were to blame for Burgarse's dick pic back in 2018

[A Country Member]

Weidler is just doing his job promoting the game for Nine, who just happen to be broadcasting the Easts v Souths game in round 3. There’ll be more of it

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Joey Manu was relieved to survive his first game back from facial surgery on Friday night and said he has no mental scars from his horror clash with Latrell Mitchell last year after being on the end of a few “little knocks” at training.

The three metal plates inserted into Manu’s face following the much-publicised tackle by Mitchell late last season appeared forgotten as the Kiwi star played in the slush at Central Coast Stadium.

Mitchell claimed during the week that he did not need to tone down his aggression, and Manu said the pair remain friends.

“We’re all good, we’re sweet, I’m not someone to hold on to stuff,” Manu said. “He’s been a good mate of mine growing up.”

As for testing out his face the first time, Manu said: "I was sweet. I’ve had little knocks, but it’s been a while and I was sweet to get out there. I’ve been training hard.

“It was more the lungs and getting the legs going. It’s been five months. It’s been a big pre-season. We’ve got a long way to go, but I think it’s going to be a big year.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Manu never once expressed any concerns about reinjuring his face in the countdown to his comeback.

“It wasn’t an issue and it hasn’t been a thing,” Robinson said. “Knowing Joey and the training we’ve done, it’s been gradual progression for him.”

Despite starting at five-eighth, Manu or Drew Hutchison – not Luke Keary – will start in the halves alongside Sam Walker in round one, Robinson said.

Apart from Keary and Nat Butcher, the all-star cavalry will return for the clash with the Knights, including James Tedesco, Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho, the latter of whom missed a crucial week-long training camp on the NSW north coast because their partners were expecting children.

Joseph Suaalii, who announced himself to the rugby league world with a trial in Queanbeyan 12 months ago, continues to return from a foot injury and is scheduled for a return “between rounds one and four”, Robinson said.

“Joey’s in a good spot, he’s back to full training. Now it’s about getting him the ‘ks’ to get the durability for the season into his foot and body,” Robinson said.

"We’re looking at rounds one to four for Joey and Billy [Smith].

“We’ve got through the trials in good health because we’ve made good decisions on who trialled and who didn’t trial based on the work they’ve done.”

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/nrl/we-re-sweet-manu-happy-with-his-face-and-mitchell-friendship-20220226-p59zxc.html 1

[Mickie Lane]

Latrell & Jacob Host get physical.
Latrell has attitude like no other player. He just wants to get physical & I cant wait for Rd 3.