Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr Set for Earlier NRL Comeback Than Anticipated

Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr are set to make their NRL comebacks from suspension earlier than anticipated, having been allowed to count a portion of their bans during next month’s All Stars match.

This means that Mitchell will take the field for the Rabbitohs in their season opener against the Dolphins, while Addo-Carr will make his Eels debut in Round 3 against his former team, the Bulldogs.

On Wednesday, the NRL notified all 17 clubs of its decision to permit the upcoming game between the Australian Indigenous side and the New Zealand Maori to count towards the suspensions of both players.

Mitchell was handed a one-match suspension and a hefty $40,000 fine for bringing the sport into disrepute following an off-field incident last August.

Leakages of photos showing the fullback in a Dubbo hotel room over a table with a white substance drew significant media attention.

At that time, the Rabbitohs had already declared Mitchell unfit for the rest of the season due to a foot injury.

In September, the NRL ruled that Mitchell would need to serve his suspension in Round 1 of the 2025 season, despite South Sydney’s urgent efforts to expedite the process.

The club sought legal counsel and Mitchell even took to Instagram in a bid to convince the NRL to allow him to play in the Rabbitohs’ Round 27 clash against the Roosters.

However, the NRL determined that he was not match-fit, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.

Now, he’ll be back in action for his team under the guidance of legendary coach Wayne Bennett.

Addo-Carr’s first appearance in blue and gold will see him go up against the club that released him last October after a positive cocaine test from a roadside drug test the previous month.

The NRL handed him a four-match suspension along with a $15,000 fine, and NSW Police also imposed consequences.

After the termination of his contract, he later signed a multi-year deal with Parramatta.

The premiership-winning winger has repeatedly claimed he did not knowingly consume an illegal substance.

Addo-Carr has already completed one match of his suspension, missing Leicester’s initial finals defeat to Manly.

Indigenous All Stars coach Ronald Griffiths previously expressed his desire to have both players in his squad, but stated he would support any decision that allowed them to return to their NRL clubs sooner.