‘A weird feeling’: Origin star confirms Bulldogs signing — Whispers

The Rabbitohs have a fight on their hands to keep Latrell Mitchell, with the Perth Bears poised to make a multimillion-dollar play at the superstar centre.

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Mitchell’s future suddenly became a hot topic in NRL circles this week after it was revealed that he was all but certain to hit the open market.

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The Parramatta Eels and Perth Bears were identified as the two strongest threats to the Rabbitohs, although CODE Sports reporter Brent Read added that South Sydney is still the favourite to retain Mitchell given his strong relationship with Wayne Bennett.

But it sounds like the Bears are at least going to take a shot at snaring their biggest signing yet, with CODE Sports reporting the Bears are ready to match Mitchell’s current $1.1 million-a-season deal at South Sydney.

Well-placed sources told the publication Mitchell could earn as much as $1.7 million annually with ratchet clasues.

Wayne Bennett told CODE Sports he is “confident” Mitchell will stay and called the criticism of the representative centre “garbage”.

“I’m as confident as I am with anybody that Latrell will stay,” Bennett said.

“I don’t know anything about Latrell doing that (going to free agency), it’s news to me.

“I’m comfortable with where we stand with Latrell.

“At this point in time, we don’t want to lose Latrell, but we’ll wait and see.

“The talk around him is garbage.

“I can’t understand the criticism around him.

“I don’t care what people say about him, Latrell is a contracted player here and I know what he is capable of.”

Brent Read said on NRL 360 earlier in the week that the Rabbitohs would like to keep Mitchell but only if it was at the right price given his injury concerns.

“This is a big story, it looks like Latrell Mitchell will be on the market … it’s a huge decision by him and the club. It’s going to shake things up,” Read said.

“Obviously Souths have got their concerns, it’s been pretty well documented. Latrell only played 11 games this year … the fact they have put off contract talks suggests they have got some issues.

“I don’t think they are in any hurry. I think they will want to see how he comes back in the pre-season.”

WARRIORS TO LOSE OUTSIDE BACK TO STORM

The Warriors are set to lose another outside back, with Adam Pompey to follow Roger Tuivasa-Sheck out the door.

Pompey, who sat on the Warriors’ six-man bench but wasn’t utilised in the season-ending loss to Newcastle, has played his final game with the club and will join Melbourne from 2027.

Warriors CEO Cameron George confirmed the news on NZ radio this week.

“We’re just finalising it all and the club will make a formal announcement about that today or tomorrow. But yes, that looks to be the case,” George told Sport Nation.

Pompey is one of several Warriors leaving the club.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will join Super League club Wakefield while Luke Metcalf (Dragons) and Mitch Barnett (Broncos) will head back to Australia.

However, George is ready for the next group of young talent to strut their stuff.

“We’ve got a hell of a bunch of kids coming through that are just so, so proud and excited about wearing the jumper,” George said.

“We can assure you the club will be bigger and better next year.”

After an injury-plagued season which exposed their shoddy depth in the outside backs, the Storm have bolstered that position group.

As well as Pompey, Bronson Xerri will join the Storm from next season while superstar winger Xavier Coates is set to be ready to return from a ruptured Achilles by the beginning of next year.

ORIGIN STAR CONFIRMS BULLDOGS SIGNING

Panthers superstar Casey McLean has confirmed his older brother Jesse will leave the foot of the mountains for the Bulldogs at season’s end.

Jesse McLean has been linked to the Bulldogs since June but the club hasn’t officially confirmed the signing.

However, McLean’s brother, Origin star Casey, spoke about the move with ESPN.

“Obviously pretty gutted that we won’t be on the same team,” McLean said.

“It’ll be a weird feeling at first, but I’m super excited for the opportunity that he’ll be given.”

With Marcelo Montoya retiring and the Bulldogs losing Bronson Xerri to the Storm, McLean will have the opportunity to win a starting spot in 2027.

There’s also no clarity over what position Stephen Crichton will play given he ended the year in the halves.

McLean appeared in four first grade games for Penrith since debuting in 2023, scoring just the one try.

He was on the six-man bench for the Panthers’ qualifying final win over the Roosters but wasn’t utilised.

He crossed for 14 tries in 20 games at NSW Cup level this season for the table-topping reserve grade side.