Latrell Mitchell‘s partner has unleashed on the NRL judiciary with the Souths star missing this week’s grand final due to a lengthy suspension.
Mitchell’s season was brought to an end when he was handed a six-match ban for a grade-two reckless high tackle which left Roosters star Joey Manu with a badly injured face in Round 24.
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With the 24-year-old denied a third career grand final appearance after two with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, his partner, Brielle Mercy, pulled no punches.
“Should have been making his third NRL GF appearance this weekend but ‘NRL system’ had different plans,” she posted on Instagram.
“Proud of your efforts this year and every year. You get knocked down over and over and only come back stronger.”
Despite Mitchell’s on-field absence, Souths skipper Adam Reynolds said the Origin star still had a role to play in the lead-up to Sunday’s grand final.
“He’s a big part of our squad, we love having him around and he’s a quality player,” Reynolds said.
“He’ll be helping prep us for the big game ahead. It’s never easy missing regular-season games let alone a grand final, and you want to be a part of it.
“He’s still very much a part of it and has a major role to play for us. A few of the boys will be leaning on him for advice because he’s been in grand finals before and knows what it takes.”