Why South Sydney are happy to wait until March to discuss new deal for Latrell

South Sydney are prepared to wait until March, when the 2027 season kicks off, to begin thrashing out a contract extension for Latrell Mitchell.

News emerged this week that Souths were not going to get a deal done before November 1, meaning Mitchell will be free to field offers from other clubs for the 2028 season and beyond.

There is no trouble in paradise at Heffron Park, and relations between Souths and “Trell Mit” have never been better. Mitchell could not have looked or sounded happier when he fronted the media on the eve of the elimination final against Newcastle just a few weeks ago.

However, South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly confirmed the club was happy to wait until after the pre-season to discuss a new deal.

“We’ve met with Latrell and his management and confirmed our position,” Solly said. “Hopefully Latrell gets picked for the Kangaroos and continues his return from the back injury in the World Cup.

“Once his rep duties are complete, and he finishes the pre-season, we’ll sit down again and discuss his future.

“For now, we are happy to allow Latrell the opportunity to play at the World Cup and have a great pre-season before we talk again about 2028 and beyond.”

The Rabbitohs board will meet next week, but do not expect any Mitchell deal to be on the agenda.

Mitchell played 12 games this season and just 11 matches in 2025 and 2024. The Indigenous star obviously has no intentions of getting injured, but South Sydney are understandably wary about spending big money on a product they only get to enjoy half the time.

On the other hand, Souths run the risk of having a rival club sneak under their guard and luring Mitchell away. He is one of the few players in the NRL capable of turning a result on its head with one run or one big hit.

Two of the club’s best highlights of 2026 will feature Mitchell trampling over the top of Kalyn Ponga for a try at McDonald Jones Stadium and him standing over the top of young Roosters playmaker Toby Rodwell after a bone-jarring tackle in round 27.

With the salary cap to increase to as much as $16 million in 2028, courtesy of the NRL’s new $5.3 billion broadcast deal, Mitchell could command $1.3 million or even $1.4 million a season at a club with money to spend.

Mitchell will be 31 in 2028, and this next deal, unlike previous extensions, will be done knowing he is a centre, not a fullback. Being a genuine No.1 gives a player greater bargaining power because of the importance of the position.

The PNG Chiefs and Perth Bears will naturally come into the media conversation because they still need players to fill their 30-man rosters. News Limited reported on Thursday morning the Bears were monitoring the situation.

Perth coach Mal Meninga is a big Mitchell fan from their time together with the Kangaroos, but being on the other side of Australia would make it tough for Mitchell, especially given he recently welcomed his fourth child.

Living in a compound in Port Moresby also hardly sounds like the dream for a player who is happiest when given a leave pass to be on his farm in Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast.

That happens regularly for Mitchell while he has been at Souths.

Mitchell’s bond with coach Wayne Bennett can also be not underestimated.

South Sydney’s Indigenous links, and Mitchell’s standing in the Aboriginal community, make them the perfect match on paper, and may explain why he said in May when asked if it would be difficult to see himself playing in any other colours: “Yeah, 100 per cent. South Sydney is where it’s at.”

Mitchell’s good mate Cody Walker is also yet to put pen to paper for 2027. There have been reports he was tabled an offer as low as $300,000 a season, with sources suggesting that number sits closer to $400,000 – and could be as much as $450,000 if clauses can be activated – plus a coaching role may be thrown in for 2028.

Back-rower Tallis Duncan is close to signing a three-year contract extension, while Jamie Humphreys is set to confirm a new two-year deal. Souths also have Campbell Graham, David Fifita, Brandon Smith and Jack Wighton entering their final years of their contracts.