Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has revealed Bunnies famous person Latrell Mitchell has hit the bottom operating following his first full discipline session for 2023 — and his brother isn’t far behind.
The South Sydney coach is assured Mitchell will likely be greater than ready to tackle the Maori All Stars within the annual recreation set to be held in Rotorua, New Zealand subsequent month.
However, the 25-year-old isn’t the one Mitchell in good condition after Latrell’s brother Shaquai mentioned he’ll enter the 2023 season the lightest he’s ever been as a participant.
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The Mitchell brothers are set to line up alongside a wealth of expertise within the Indigenous All Stars facet which embrace the likes of Cody Walker, Nicho Hynes, Tyrone Peachey, Josh Addo-Carr, Tyrell Sloan, Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh Kerr and Selwyn Cobbo.
“Latrell’s maturity over the last 12 months has been there to see, and it’s been evident with how he’s returned – he’s come back in the best shape he’s been in,” Demetriou informed the SMH.
“He’ll be close to match fitness by the time they go away (for the All Stars).
“It’s an important week, he’s a leader in the Indigenous community, he’s very well respected and looked up to, and it will be great to see him running around.
“Like all teams at this time of year, we have work to do with our execution and connection, but Latrell’s energy has been outstanding.”
At one level, Shaquai hit 179kg and arrived on the Rabbitohs weighing in at 125kg.
Now heading into the 2023 season he’s shed much more weight and is hoping so as to add a number of extra first grade appearances.
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“I arrived here for pre-season training at the start of last season about 125kg, dropped to 118kg, then added some muscle and played just over 120kg,” Shaquai mentioned.
“Now I’m down to about 116kg, which is the lightest I’ve been in a long time.
“The goal is to play more (NRL). I don’t like taking free hands out, I work hard for my (success), and that’s how I want to keep it.
“There’s so much talent in this squad, we’re all competing for spots, that’s the name of the game, and all I can do is keep pushing.”
Improving daily, Demetriou has praised the 26-year-old’s progress within the coaching paddock.
“What Shaq achieved last year is just the start, and he’s backed it up again this pre-season by coming back in the better shape again – he goes into this All Stars game in a better headspace and a lot more confidence than he did last year,” Demetriou mentioned.