Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has unloaded after Latrell Mitchell was reported for a high shot in South Sydney’s win over Newcastle, branding the referee’s decision “ridiculous”.
Mitchell was reported for hitting Newcastle winger Dominic Young high as the Rabbitohs carved out a 40-28 victory in the Hunter on Friday.
The South Sydney fullback collected Young high with a swinging arm as he stopped the Englishman from scoring in the 18th minute.
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Young departed the field for a head injury assessment but returned to play the remainder of the match.
Mitchell, filling in as Rabbitohs captain in the absence of Cameron Murray, joined Demetriou in his post-match press conference.
“We asked Latrell to protect our line and that’s what he did,” Demetriou said.
“For me it’s ridiculous he’s even on report. It’s a penalty. I get that he’s made a bit of contact trying to wrap the ball up, but it’s not an on-report offence. No way.
“As a game we’ve got to understand that sometimes people get bumped on the head. It’s part and parcel of the game. We don’t want it but it happens.
“There’s no malice in it.
“How do you stop a try? You’ve got to get your hands on the footy; otherwise he reaches out and scores.”
Mitchell revealed dialogue he had with referee Todd Smith when the official reported him.
“I just said, ‘Mate, look, I’ve just got to save tries’. That’s the best way I could put it. I’ve got a job to do and that’s save tries, and I was there first,” Mitchell said.
“(Young is) a big lad on that wing and he’s not stopping anytime soon, so I’ve got to throw everything at him.
“Regardless of what happens … I just took it on the chin.”
Ruan Sims, Andrew Johns and Paul Gallen all argued on Nine’s post-match show that Mitchell should not be suspended.
“A fine at worst,” Gallen said.
“He knocked the fend down, all he was doing was wrapping the arm, he clipped him a little bit.
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“(Young) came back on the field.
“I don’t see much in it at all.
“A fine at the very worst.”
The match review committee will determine the fate of Mitchell.
The former Rooster returned from a long break due to a hamstring injury last week, as the Rabbitohs outdid the Eels 30-12.
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The Rabbitohs climbed to fifth on the ladder in their defeat of the Knights and now set to face the Bulldogs at Sydney Olympic Park next Sunday.
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