NRL blocks Triple M from filming interviews after Souths’ complaints over Latrell

The NRL has blocked host radio broadcaster Triple M from filming post-match interviews following the backlash over Latrell Mitchell’s expletive-laden comments last Thursday night.

The NRL has responded to complaints made by Mitchell’s club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Nine Entertainment Co, the publisher of this masthead, over Triple M’s ability to film content after games under the terms and agreements of their rights deal. The NRL has decided to enforce a rule that hasn’t previously been policed.

The Herald can also reveal Triple M has removed the interview with Mitchell conducted by host Ben Dobbin from its social media pages following complaints made to NRL head office by South Sydney about the radio network’s right to capture the video. The video was taken down on Tuesday afternoon.

Both South Sydney and Triple M declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday afternoon.

Under the NRL’s broadcast rights deal with Nine and Foxtel, the host networks get exclusive rights to all game-day content.

Those rights alternate depending on the match, with Nine getting exclusive rights to Thursday night, Friday night (8pm) and Sunday afternoon (4pm) games.

Mitchell after last Thursday’s defeat to Brisbane.

It comes as NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo rejected suggestions the governing body is afraid to pull Mitchell into line after offering the South Sydney star a personal meeting – rather than a fine – to discuss his profanity-laden radio interview.

Mitchell has drawn criticism for dropping four F-bombs in a Triple M interview after his side’s 28-18 loss to Brisbane. Canterbury general manager Phil Gould, speaking on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday, said Mitchell should have been reined in long ago and has “become bigger than some of the people that are trying to control him.”

However, Abdo pointed out that neither Brandon Smith nor Toby Rudolf had been sanctioned for controversial comments made during live interviews, and that meeting with Mitchell was a more productive approach than a fine.

“We expect our players to set a good example and clearly using bad language is an example of what we don’t want our players to do,” Abdo said.

“But we all make mistakes, and I think we have to take things in context from time to time, there’ll be things said that players regret.

“I’ve heard Latrell acknowledge the fact that he does regret that, and I will have a chat to him in due course.

“They’ve been examples since I’ve been the CEO where we try and work with the players, remind them of their obligations and their responsibilities, and help them develop not only their own brand but the brand of the club they represent and the brand of the sport they represent.

“Players are humans, they’ll make mistakes from time to time. It’s important to make a discerning choice between when the rules have been broken and when there’s an opportunity to actually help people and help develop them.

“Players are humans, they’ll make mistakes from time to time.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo

“So this is actually quite consistent with how we’ve treated incidents of this nature before. We haven’t formally breached a player, we’ve looked to work with them and help them develop the way in which they communicate more broadly with the fans.”

Smith swore repeatedly in an interview with the YKTR Podcast in 2021, while Rudolf caused a stir that season for saying he would “try and pull something” after having “a thousand beers” at a bar.

Speaking at the launch of Multicultural Round at Parramatta, Abdo bristled at suggestions the NRL was afraid to keep Mitchell in check.

“That’s quite a bold statement to make and we’ve proven over the past that when a player breaches the rules and we believe it warrants a breach action, we take it,” Abdo said.

“Equally, we’ve been accused of being too harsh on players. Everyone will have their view on that. I’m really comfortable with where this sits, and I’m comfortable with the action that we’re taking at the moment.”

Rugby League Players’ Association CEO Clint Newton said the focus on Mitchell’s remarks were “overblown” and the headlines would be better reserved for promotions such as Tuesday’s NRL’s In League in Harmony gala day.

“Latrell is absolutely used as arguably the No.1 person to promote the game,” said Newton, who backed the NRL’s decision not to sanction Mitchell. “He is used not only to promote the game’s athletic ability and performance, but also the strength that he brings in many ways.

“That comes via his level of authenticity. If we want someone to be authentic, having the expectation that they are going to get everything right all the time, and having everyone like what they say – that is an unrealistic expectation.”

Gould, however, felt Mitchell had been given too much leeway for too long.

“I have spoken about Latrell Mitchell his entire career, most of it quite complimentary because he’s a hell of a player and he’s had big moments in this game,” Gould said on 100% Footy.

“I have also during that time been highly critical of him in a number of areas, both on the field and off the field with some of the things that he’s done, and I said very early in his career, if you don’t pull him into line now you’ll never be able to, and I think that Latrell Mitchell has become bigger than some of the people that are trying to control him.”

Mitchell posted a response to his Instagram page on Monday night, saying “There was no intent. No malice. Let’s move on. Great weekend ahead, Friday night lights.”

His comments were paired with a Fox League Instagram post quoting Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray, who said “I’m sure if Latrell has his time over again, he’d be a bit more selective with his words. But that’s what happens when you grab someone 30 seconds after a game.”

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