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Souths star named to make long-awaited NRL return
Jasper Bruce, AAP •  August 25th, 2026 7:00 pm
All smiles at Redfern with Latrell Mitchell selected for his first NRL game in months | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Latrell Mitchell has been named to make his long-awaited NRL return via the six-man bench as South Sydney hope to lock up a finals berth against Gold Coast.
The superstar centre was named in jersey No. 19 for Saturday's clash, which comes 15 weeks after he last played for the Rabbitohs at Magic Round.
Since then, the former NSW representative has battled nerve damage detected in his recovery from back and calf injuries.
He trained in rainy Sydney on Tuesday morning, spending time with both the rehabilitation group and the wider squad, before his inclusion on Wayne Bennett's team sheet.
Souths coach Wayne Bennett and Latrell Mitchell are back together again at Rabbitohs HQ | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Mitchell is officially listed in the extended squad rather than on the bench, but that is only because of plans to give Jai Arrow a symbolic final two games following his retirement with motor neurone disease.
Saturday will mark Mitchell's first time starting from the bench at NRL level.
Mitchell has battled injuries since joining Souths in 2020; he has played one fewer game for the Rabbitohs in seven years than he did in four years with the Sydney Roosters.
But his return comes in the nick of time for Souths, who can all but guarantee their first finals berth since 2022 by beating the Titans.
"He's one of those people that if he's in the sheds getting ready for the game, you feel a bit more confident about winning," said Souths fullback Matt Dufty.
"Obviously he's a superstar and the form he was in before he got injured is some of the best football I've seen in my whole career."
Teammates are thrilled to have Latrell Mitchell available again for selection | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Elsewhere, Blaize Talagi remains out of favour at Penrith, with Jack Cole set to replace suspended five-eighth Jack Cogger for the clash against Canterbury.
Perth-bound Cole could keep Talagi out of the team through finals given Cogger is due back from a three-match ban after week one.
Talagi is listed on the bench.
COVID-19 has swept through the Bulldogs this past week but no players have been ruled out with the virus as of Tuesday afternoon.
Tom Dearden is set to return from an ankle injury as North Queensland continue their push for a finals berth against Wests Tigers.
The Cowboys have shifted Jaxon Purdue into the outside backs and also have Jeremiah Nanai back from a hamstring issue.
But winger Murray Taulagi drops out with his latest concussion and may need longer than the standard 11-day window to recover.
Tom Dearden is on track to play just his second game since round 10 | Photo: AAP
Te Maire Martin has shaken off a hamstring injury to come into the halves for the Warriors' match against Newcastle.
Mid-season recruit Luke Laulilii makes his club debut on the wing in place of the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
James Tedesco has been named to return from his ankle injury for the Sydney Roosters' clash with the Dolphins, but remains no guarantee to play.
Tedesco has not featured since leaving the 82-12 mauling of North Queensland at halftime in round 22, named and then withdrawn from the team sheet for all three games since.
The star fullback was seen walking freely at club headquarters on Tuesday, but teammates were unsure whether he would line up at Allianz Stadium.
"He's our skipper, we would love to have him back out there this weekend. If not, Cody (Ramsey) no doubt will do a great job," said five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans.
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