South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has made his first press conference appearance in almost two years, declaring his loyalty lies with the Rabbitohs and addressing his self-imposed media blackout.
Mitchell - arguably the code's most captivating star and one of its proudest Indigenous voices - has kept a low profile for the past two seasons.
Teammates Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi were scheduled to speak to media at Tuesday's weekly interview opportunity, but to the surprise of the press pack, Mitchell fronted up.
The 28-year-old had not spoken publicly since the 2024 season, when he was photographed leaning over a table with a white powder in a motel in Dubbo.
In the same season Mitchell also courted controversy by giving an expletive-laden post-match interview on radio station Triple M.
He was fined by his club and the NRL and served a one-match suspension over the Dubbo incident, but did not want to discuss the fallout on Tuesday.
"We'll leave that one," Mitchell said.
In Mitchell's defence, he has let his football do the talking to start this year.
Souths (5-3) sit fourth heading into Saturday's meeting with Cronulla, and Mitchell has been back to his dominant best, scoring 11 tries in eight games.
"Not talking to you (the media), that's probably why (my form's been so good) ... I thought I'd come out and have a yarn," Mitchell said.
He said he chose to break his silence to celebrate the 150th NRL game milestone of Campbell Graham, and said his time out of the spotlight had helped him mature.
"I reckon I've made myself that to be honest," Mitchell said.
"There's my family. I've got to be a leader there and turn myself into a role model for my kids.
"For me it's all about giving back to them and showing them that you've got to keep doing what you need to do and not kick stones and get on with the job."
The transformation in Mitchell's fortunes can be attributed to his positional switch.
He had mainly played as a fullback in his previous seasons at the Bunnies, but in 2026 has reverted to centre - the position where he won two premierships with the Sydney Roosters.
"It's been good, I approached Wayne (Bennett) and I just said to him that I just want to be a team player," Mitchell said.
"Wherever that is for you Wayne, I'll do it, I'll play front row for him."
There was a thought among the press pack gathered at Heffron Park on Tuesday that Mitchell would announce a contract extension when there was a loud cheer from the Bunnies' meeting room.
Mitchell is off contract at the end of 2027 - the season before the PNG Chiefs enter the NRL - and his agent Warwick "Wok'' Wright was present at Souths' Maroubra training base earlier in the day.
Wright was the agent who facilitated Jarome Luai's move to the Chiefs, but Mitchell played a straight bat.
"Who's that? Is that a team?," Mitchell retorted when asked about interest from the Chiefs.
"South Sydney is where it's at."
Mitchell is considered a shoo-in for NSW selection and endured a down year at State of Origin level - he has seven tries in 11 Blues games - but failed to cross the line last season when Queensland claimed a 2-1 series victory.
"I love the Blues, it's NSW, it's what we represent," Mitchell said.
