Latrell Mitchell has opened up on the mental turmoil of South Sydney's horror 2023 season, with the footy superstar addressing rumours he received 'preferential treatment' from senior figures.
In a candid interview with former Bunnies teammate Josh Mansour, Mitchel admitted the reports 'rattled me' and he 'faked being happy' during a distressing court case with ACT Police.
The fullback spoke openly about his wrongful arrest alongside new teammate Jack Wighton, with the pair now considering civil action, as well as Sam Burgess' abrupt exit from the Rabbitohs.
'Everything that went on, you say it didn't affect you as a person,' Mitchell said when asked abut Burgess' departure.
'It rattled me, I tell you what,' Mitchell said.
Latrell Mitchell has opened up on his nightmare season with South Sydney Rabbitohs
The fullback was unable to stop the slide at the Bunnies and succumbed to the pressure
'But it is what it is. I'm over it now. It starts to drip into your personal life and footy. If you're not happy off the field, you're never going to perform on it.
'A lot of that trickled into all of our lives and everything that went on just happened. True colours come out when pressure's applied. They're not losses, they're lessons and I'll take them into 2024.'
After a bright start to the campaign, Mitchell admitted that the pressure cast on him had a negative impact, particularly amid a dip in form following an injury and he claimed 'I wasn't looked after the way I should have been' after suffering a calf knock in NSW Origin camp.
'We started really well, unstoppable and [the Rabbitohs] defence was awesome,' Mitchell said.
'I got injured going into NSW camp, and it was just hard for me to come back and try and find that form again.
'Ten weeks [out injured] was too long, I wasn't looked after the way I should've been, but it is what it is. I just couldn't find that tick again.
He was also accused of receiving favouritism and was rocked by Sam Burgess' exit
Mitchell is hoping to put 2023 behind him and enjoy a strong 2024 campaign
'I was trying to chase that and [the narrative] that 'oh it's alright, Latrell's back, we'll be right, we'll win again', the pressure of that got to me a little bit. Other than that I think we just lost that drive and connection as well, confidence too.'
Reflecting on his court ordeal, Mitchell added: 'It was a long 10 months, it just dragged on. I knew I was innocent the whole time, I was just trying to prove I'm a good person and trying to fake being happy for 10 months was hard. I'm glad it's over…
'[With] footy it was a big thing. Obviously, trying to perform every day, turn up and perform knowing that's still hanging over your head … '