Why Phil Gould says Latrell Mitchell could RETIRE soon - as Rabbitohs 'hit controversial star with a ban he will NOT like'

NRL identity Phil Gould fears Latrell Mitchell could retire from the sport because he doubts the Rabbitohs superstar actually loves the game.

It comes after Mitchell, 26, was banned for three matches by the NRL match review committee after driving his forearm into Shaun Johnson's face during South Sydney's heavy defeat last Saturday against the Warriors.

While he's suspended, fed-up club officials have reportedly told Mitchell he can't go to his farm at Taree on the NSW mid-North Coast, where he often heads to get away from the pressures of the sport.

It is understood Mitchell was ordered to stay in Sydney as his coach Jason Demetriou faces the sack after a nightmare start to the NRL season, which has seen the club get just one win in the first five rounds. 

With the spotlight constantly on Mitchell, Bulldogs supremo Gould said the Indigenous star could be lost to the sport.

'Has anyone ever sat Latrell down and said do you really want to play this game?,' Gould said on Nine's 100% Footy.

'Are you really in love with this game? Do you love the hard work? Do you love the discipline? Do you love your teammates? Do you love the club? ... or is it just I'll do it because I'm good at it - but I'll do it my own way.

'Has someone actually sat him down and said if you had a chance to walk away, would you go? I reckon he would. 

'I reckon he will, I don't see that he's in love with it at all.'

Gould also questioned Mitchell's on-field work ethic.

'We have been saying this for a few years with him. He plays at his own pace, he plays at his own style and his own way. He picks and chooses his times. And he doesn't put a lot of work into the effort areas of the game,' he said.

'The game sticks up for him and everyone sticks up for him but Latrell doesn't respond. 

'The problem is he's an elite talent, an incredible talent, he can change games, he can influence results.

'He has little moments in games where things fall his way, but he doesn't go looking for work, he doesn't go looking for big moments and it would seem at times he's not where he should be at different times...that lets his team down as well.'

It comes as ex-NRL star turned commentator Michael Ennis urged Mitchell to stay in Sydney and lead by example at training the next few weeks - while former NRL hardman Paul Gallen pointed out the fullback's clear passion for community work.

Comfortably the NRL's most polarising identity, Mitchell recently took time out to fly to Moree in northern NSW with South Sydney teammate Cody Walker as they helped launch a program in a bid to reduce youth crime in the area.

Mitchell also visited Kempsey in the off season, launching the Fight for Success program in partnership with the local PCYC on the NSW mid-North Coast.