South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi says for Latrell Mitchell, being "hammered" by scrutiny comes with the territory of being the NRL's biggest star.
The besieged fullback has until Thursday night to respond to a breach notice issued by the NRL, facing a one-game ban and hefty fine over a social media picture that showed him leaning over a table with white powder on it.
Believed to have been taken while Mitchell was in Dubbo for a football clinic earlier this month, the image prompted the latest round of headlines centring around the game's most recognisable player.
Mitchell raised eyebrows with a profane radio interview in March and missed three games for raising his elbow into Shaun Johnson's face while coach Jason Demetriou's job was on the line the next month.
Canterbury football boss and media pundit Phil Gould has been among Mitchell's most vocal critics this week, questioning his professionalism and Souths' management of their star man.
Mitchell is set to front board members to explain himself following the latest saga.
"It's criticism," Koloamatangi said of the backlash.
"It's everyone's opinion but I know Latrell. He's a good mate of mine and I know the person he is.
"I guess that's the sport we play. If you do something wrong, you get hammered for it. Obviously Latrell's the biggest name in our game and if something was to happen, he gets hammered for it.
"I checked in on him to make sure he was all right. Trell's all right, he'll be sweet."
Koloamatangi backed the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) as it seeks to have Mitchell serve his one-week ban this year, while sidelined with the season-ending foot injury.
The RLPA says the NRL's rules state that when a player receives a ban from the NRL "that cancellation or suspension will take effect immediately".
"I'm not too sure what's happening with that but all the boys are behind the RLPA with whatever they do," Koloamatangi said.
"They've got the best interests of the boys so I'm sure they'll do a good job."
Inspirational captain Cameron Murray refused to answer questions about Mitchell during a Rabbitohs press conference on Wednesday.
The famously tenacious Murray rarely shies away from hard work on the field but twice said he was "not really keen to talk about" Mitchell, who is currently on a leave of absence from the club.
Asked whether club captains should have an opinion on team matters, Murray said: "I'll keep my opinion quiet."
"They're conversations I've had between me and Latrell, out of respect for Latrell and everything he's gone through over the last couple of weeks," he said.
