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Latrell Mitchell says he “faked being happy for 10 months” as a court case hung over he and Jack Wighton’s heads.
Mitchell spoke to the Let’s Trot podcast in what was his first extensive interview since being cleared of multiple charges brought against the two players by ACT Police.
A magistrate threw out charges of affray, fighting in a public place, and resisting a territory official after one officer admitted to giving false details of the night in question, which was a celebration of Wighton’s 30th birthday.
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“We were in shock… I didn’t know what he was on about,” Mitchell told the podcast of the moment Senior Constable David Power made his in-court admission.
“Me and Jack had no idea, we were like ‘what the hell is going on’. But I don’t want to comment too much more on it.
“I’m happier now, I’m back to being Latrell Mitchell. You can’t wipe the smile off my face.”
Following the arrest ordeal in Canberra, Mitchell endured a tough NRL season.
He played the first 12 rounds for South Sydney before suffering a calf injury in NSW Blues camp on the eve of the first State of Origin game.
He spent almost three months on the sideline, as his Bunnies spluttered and tumbled down the competition ladder and eventually missed finals.
With the benefit of hindsight, he wishes the court case wasn’t adjourned until the end of the season.
“Footy was a big thing, trying to perform every day and turn up knowing that’s still over your head,” he said.
“Looking back on it now I feel like we should have got it over and done with at the time.
“It was a long 10 months, it just dragged on. I knew I was innocent the whole time, and just trying to prove I was a good person… trying to fake being happy for 10 months was pretty hard.
“I’m glad it’s over. It’s been weighing on me and my family for a long time – probably my family moreso.
“Mental drag, just a ball and chain that I didn’t need. I’ve got a lot of them hanging around and (this wasn’t) one that I wanted.
“But it’s a great outcome for, not only myself, but a statistic in Aboriginal people. It was something I really needed to get off my back.”
Mitchell is preparing to begin pre-season training with the Rabbitohs.
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