Latrell Mitchell at centre of troubling new trend as State of Origin hype derailed by own stars
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The NRL has been urged to act before it is too late as stars are increasingly being allowed to escape their media obligations without punishment.
Any player named in either the NSW Blues or Queensland Maroons side for any Origin game nets them an extra $30,000. And much like at club level their duties extend beyond the footy field, with media obligations and training requirements all part of what they are being paid for.
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However, ahead of Game 1 and Game 2, players such as Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu have reportedly put themselves on 'media bans', opting out of speaking to the press.
Mitchell did no media duties for Game 1 and even left in the early hours of Thursday morning to return to NSW, potentially in a bid to avoid the media – who often wait for the two sides as they enter the bus on Thursday morning to get reactions to the game.
And again ahead of Game 2 in Perth, Mitchell is staying away from the cameras, as he has done for the entirety of the 2025 NRL season.
The Rabbitohs star has yet to do a single interview during the 2025 NRL season, with Souths reportedly happy for the fullback to stay out of the spotlight and solely focus on his footy.
He's not the only one given special treatment either, with Leniu also given the green light to avoid any interviews or press conferences since his sideline run-in with Maroons icon Johnathan Thurston after a Roosters game earlier this season.
However, the self-imposed media bans certain players have undertaken have seen the hype for NRL games and State of Origin in particular at an all-time low.
The build-up and bad blood heading into Game 1, was almost entirely forced by past players, with barely any of the current stars saying anything to either get fans excited or their blood boiling.
And the lack of interviews and access certain players are giving to fans has led to growing fears that the growth of the game could be stunted by players being able to pick and choose when to engage with the media.
'The NRL need to be careful with State of Origin because what we saw in Origin 1 was the closest thing we've seen to an NRL game,' NRL reporter David Riccio said on SEN on Friday.
'The media build-up and promotion is critical to the hype and excitement before the game, but it's become so boring and so vanilla.
'We're not hearing from the actual players. The game has a responsibility to ensure the actual superstars promote the game and sell the game.
' … We can't allow Game 2 to unfold the way the first one did, This game has to be an absolute spectacle to win over the West Australian public.'
Knights legend Matty Johns echoed a similar sentiment, stating any player collecting a payday should be required to front the media whether it be requested by the club or a media outlet.
'If you're getting paid that money, I think it's your responsibility to talk and it's your responsibility to build the game up,' Johns said.
Former Broncos and Warriors player Denan Kemp agreed, saying the NRL is missing out big time without Mitchell and Leniu promoting the game.
'The NRL need to cultivate an environment in which the players feel safe to say whatever they want (to an extent),' Kemp said.
Originally published as Latrell Mitchell at centre of troubling new trend as State of Origin hype derailed by own stars
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