‘Making sure he’s OK’: Latrell Mitchell checks in on welfare of Angus Crichton
Latrell Mitchell spreads himself pretty thin due to his popularity, but the South Sydney star still makes time to check up on the welfare of other NRL players that are doing it tough.
Having only recently taken time to console distraught Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan after the traditional Charity Shield encounter, Mitchell has reached out to the family of former Roosters teammate Angus Crichton.
Crichton is taking an indefinite break from rugby league after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The Roosters are seeking salary cap dispensation for Crichton, whose father Charlie provided an update on the star forward’s progress last week.
Mitchell and Crichton are close from their time together at Bondi Junction and the pair toured together as part of the World Cup-winning Kangaroos squad late last year. The Rabbitohs fullback said Crichton remained in his thoughts as he prepares for Saturday night’s clash against Cronulla.
“I reached out to his dad actually [on Tuesday],” Mitchell said at the Sydney premier of Creed III, which was the first time Tim Tszyu and Tony Harrison came together ahead of the interim WBO super-welterweight title on March 12.
“I just wanted to make sure they are alright. That’s the type of person I am, I try to reach out and put my best foot forward. I’ve got a good connection with Charlie, his old man and Gussy, we won a comp together.
“I wanted to make sure they are doing alright, that they are travelling OK.
“It is what it is. I don’t want to comment too much on it, it’s their personal lives, with what they are going through.
“Obviously the media has to leave it alone now and let him just heal, do what he needs to do.”
The Rabbitohs thoroughly outplayed the Dragons in their final pre-season clash, leaving St George Illawarra fullback Sloan visibly distraught after the full-time siren. Mitchell, who had spent the previous week with Indigenous teammate Sloan in All Stars camp, said he would always be there for his mates.
Latrell Mitchell is looking out for others.Credit:SMH
“‘Sloany’ just came to me, we spent a week in New Zealand together,” said Mitchell, who helped the Rabbitohs land a suit deal.
“I know him really well and we had that connection over there, we had a connection for a very long time.
“He’s my little brother, I love him, and that’s why he came to me.”
Mitchell has an older brother of his own that he is also proud of. Shaquai Mitchell has fought back from a series of obstacles, including depression, to earn a bench spot for Saturday’s Sharks encounter. It will mark Shaquai’s fourth NRL appearance and only the second time he has played first grade alongside his brother.
“I can’t wait to play with him,” Latrell Mitchell said.
“I can’t wait to string a few more games [with him]. I’ve got 150 [games] coming up and I hope he’s a part of that.”
Mitchell also gave a shout-out to All Stars teammate Nicho Hynes, who will miss Saturday’s encounter due to a calf complaint. Hynes has spoken about the toll of having his mother, Julie, be found guilty of a heroin supply charge.
“He’s a great leader, I’ve known Nico for a long time and all credit to him how he presents himself,” Mitchell said. “He’s the man.”
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