Latrell Mitchell of the South Sydney Rabbitohs will serve his one-match suspension at the start of the 2025 NRL season after the league rejected the club's claims that he is fit to play in the final round of the current season. The NRL stated that Souths failed to provide sufficient information or conduct an independent fitness test to confirm Mitchell's readiness for the match against the Sydney Roosters. Mitchell has been sidelined since July 4 due to a foot injury, and despite the Rabbitohs presenting three medical reports asserting his fitness, the NRL deemed them inadequate. This ruling leaves Mitchell out of the first game of the 2025 season under the returning coach Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs are considering legal action against the NRL following this decision, which adds to the team's struggles this season, including a coaching change and a likely last-place finish.