South Sydney is reportedly forking out around $50,000 to fly Latrell Mitchell to America and fix his busted hamstring.
Mitchell is sidelined since tearing his hamstring in a game last month, and is about to head overseas to consult a specialist about the issue.
Nine journalist Danny Weidler explained to Big Sports Breakfast just how much the Rabbitohs are forking out to get their star fullback back on the park.
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“It’s an expensive exercise, they are going to take a physio over with them as well, and the treatment’s not cheap,” Weidler said.
“They are looking at around $50,000 for Latrell’s hamstring. The idea behind spending that much money is they want him right long-term and they are about to start talks to tie him up for a two or three-year extension.
“He’s not a cheap commodity. He would be $800,000-plus per season. So they want to get him right, and that investment of $50,000 might be a good long-term one because they are desperate to keep him there, and build their club around him.”
Mitchell, 24, is contracted to South Sydney until the end of 2023.
At his best he is the most influential and exciting player in the NRL, and the Bunnies realise his value to the team if they can get him fit.
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
Mitchell missed most of the 2020 season due to a serious hamstring injury after joining South Sydney from the Roosters.
Weidler says the club is clearly concerned.
“I thought it was bad the first time he did it. This time I didn’t realise it was as severe as it was,” he said.
“I would have thought they would explore Tommy Turbo’s guy down in Melbourne. To go to America with all that travel, all that expense… maybe it is a bigger concern than we think, because that is a big investment.
“You don’t send your best player to America to see a specialist and do work unless it is a big concern.”
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