Latrell Mitchell is one of Australia’s most recognisable rugby league stars. The South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback combines enormous power with exceptional attacking instincts.

Mitchell was born on June 16, 1997, in Taree, New South Wales, and currently plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL. Mitchell stands 193 centimetres tall and weighs 105 kilograms.

Mitchell has won two NRL premierships during his career, both with the Sydney Roosters in 2018 and 2019.

He has also represented Australia, New South Wales and the Indigenous All Stars. His career has featured spectacular highs, difficult setbacks and significant off-field controversies.

However, his story extends beyond rugby league. Mitchell’s journey also reflects family, Indigenous identity, country roots and personal resilience.

In 2026, he returned from a serious back problem before helping South Sydney reach the finals.

He was also selected for Australia’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad. That selection underlined his continuing importance to the national team.

Latrell Mitchell profile check

Full name: Latrell Mitchell

Registered birth name: Latrell Goolagong

Date of birth: June 16, 1997

Age: 29

Birthplace: Taree, New South Wales

Height: 193cm

Weight: 105kg

Position: Fullback

Parents: Matt Mitchell and Patricia Goolagong

Brothers: Shaquai Mitchell and Lionel Mitchell

Indigenous heritage: Biripi and Wiradjuri

Partner: Brielle Mercy has been widely reported as his long-term partner

Children: Four children

Nickname: TrellMit

EARLY LIFE AND AGE

Growing up in Taree

Mitchell grew up in Taree on Australia’s New South Wales Mid North Coast.

Rugby league quickly became central to his childhood, and he started playing junior rugby league with the Taree Red Rovers.

His first coach, Shane Glass, spotted his potential when Mitchell was only six.

Glass had already been coaching Mitchell’s brother, Shaquai. Mitchell then arrived at a local rugby league gala day. He reportedly scored more than 16 tries, and that performance convinced Glass to give the young player more challenging opportunities.

Mitchell eventually spent around a decade developing under Glass, who later described Mitchell as exceptionally talented. He also recalled that Mitchell always dreamed about moving to Sydney.

Mitchell’s early development, therefore, began far from the bright lights of the NRL.

School and junior rugby league

Mitchell attended Chatham High School in Taree and also represented New South Wales at junior levels.

In 2013, he played for the New South Wales under-16 team, and represented New South Wales under-18s the following year. After that, his performances soon attracted attention from professional clubs.

The Sydney Roosters became particularly interested in his potential. Mitchell eventually moved to Sydney while still a teenager, and the transition was challenging because he was leaving his hometown.

He later explained that balancing school and football was difficult.

“When I came down as a 16-year-old, playing SG Ball and moving into a different environment,” he said.

Mitchell eventually learned to handle life away from home. He also lived in a Roosters development house with several young players, including Joseph Manu, during that period.

The experience helped Mitchell mature away from his family, as he later described learning to rely more heavily on himself.

That period proved crucial to his development as a professional.

The Roosters breakthrough

Mitchell joined the Roosters’ SG Ball team during the 2014 season and quickly established himself as one of the competition’s outstanding young players.

He won the SG Ball Player of the Year award and earned man-of-the-match honours in the grand final. Later that year, Mitchell represented the Australian Schoolboys, scoring 13 tries during seven matches on the tour.

His performances earned him player-of-the-series recognition. The Roosters then continued developing him through their lower grades.

In 2015, Mitchell played in the NYC competition, which eventually led to his NRL debut.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Sydney Roosters debut

Mitchell made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters on March 6, 2016.

Ironically, his first opponent was the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 18.

Mitchell immediately showed why the Roosters viewed him as a special prospect, playing on the wing.

However, his power and attacking instincts soon made him a natural centre, and he became an increasingly important member of the Roosters’ backline. His breakthrough arrived during the club’s premiership-winning period.

Two NRL premierships

Mitchell played an important role in the Roosters’ 2018 premiership triumph and remained a key figure the following season, defending their title in 2019.

That made Mitchell a dual NRL premiership winner before turning 23, as he scored 19 tries across 25 NRL appearances. He also scored 273 points during the campaign.

That performance earned him the Dally M Centre of the Year award, and also finished as the competition’s leading points scorer. Mitchell had therefore established himself among rugby league’s elite attackers.

Move to South Sydney

Mitchell’s departure from the Roosters became one of the biggest NRL stories. He ultimately joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2020 season, and that move also marked a major positional change.

South Sydney increasingly developed Mitchell as a fullback. The transition required different responsibilities from his centre role as he became more involved in organising South Sydney’s attack.

Mitchell adapted quickly and became one of the Rabbitohs’ biggest stars.

Unfortunately, his first South Sydney season was interrupted by a serious hamstring injury, but the club remained committed to him.

South Sydney later extended his contract through the 2023 season.

The Rabbitohs described him as highly influential both on and off the field. They also highlighted his leadership within Indigenous communities.

Contract extension through 2027

South Sydney later secured Mitchell’s future with another major contract extension, which keeps him at the Rabbitohs through the end of 2027.

At that stage, Mitchell had already established himself as a central figure as he helped South Sydney reach major finals during his time there. His long-term commitment has made him central to South Sydney’s plans.

International rugby league

Mitchell’s representative career has been equally significant, as he made his Australia debut in 2018. He has also played for New South Wales in State of Origin.

Additionally, he has represented the Indigenous All Stars. Mitchell was part of Australia’s 2022 Rugby League World Cup-winning squad, earning 9 Test appearances.

He has also collected State of Origin honours with New South Wales. His representative career has therefore extended well beyond club football.

In October 2026, Mitchell was named in Australia’s World Cup squad, following his return from a lengthy injury absence.

FAMILY AND ETHNICITY

His parents, Matt and Patricia

Family has always played an important role in Mitchell’s life. His father is Matt Mitchell, and his mother is Patricia Goolagong.

In 2021, he bought them a $1.8 million property near Taree. The six-bedroom property reportedly sits on more than 40 acres. The purchase became one of the clearest examples of his gratitude.

Mitchell described his mother as the family’s backbone. “My mum has been our family’s backbone,” he wrote.

He also credited her sacrifices for his success. “Wouldn’t be where I am without the sacrifices she had to make,” Mitchell added.

The gesture showed how closely Mitchell remains connected to his hometown.

His father also played rugby and had professional ambitions.

Mitchell has described his father as one of his heroes.

That influence helped shape his sporting ambitions from childhood.

His brothers and extended family

Mitchell has two brothers, Shaquai and Lionel. Shaquai has also pursued a professional rugby league career. The brothers developed together before Latrell moved into the NRL.

Mitchell’s family, therefore, remained closely connected to his football journey, and he also has a famous connection through his mother’s family.

His maternal great-aunt is Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who is one of Australia’s most celebrated tennis players. That family connection adds another remarkable sporting chapter to Mitchell’s story.

However, rugby league remains the family’s most visible modern sporting connection.

His Biripi and Wiradjuri heritage and ethnicity

Mitchell proudly identifies as an Indigenous Australian. The Rabbitohs describe him as a Biripi and Wiradjuri man, whose Indigenous identity has influenced both his public life and rugby career. He has also represented the Indigenous All Stars.

In 2019, he publicly challenged racist abuse directed towards him and explained that racism had affected his family for many years. “I’ve had it for 22 years of my life,” Mitchell said.

He also recalled his mother being excluded from a local pool. That experience helped explain his determination to challenge racism publicly.

His activism has become an important part of his identity beyond football.

Why did he change his surname?

Mitchell was born with the registered name Latrell Goolagong, but he later adopted his father’s surname.

His brothers also made the same change during their early teens. That explains why official rugby league records identify him as Latrell Mitchell.

His family connection to the Goolagong name remains significant.

It also connects him to one of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous athletes.

WHO IS LATRELL MITCHELL’S PARTNER?

Mitchell has generally kept his private family life away from constant media attention. He has been widely linked with long-term partner Brielle Mercy.

However, Mitchell has not consistently discussed their relationship publicly, and the couple have children together, their daughters Inala and Aleena.

More recent coverage states that Mitchell has four children. The names of all four children are not consistently confirmed across major sources.

Mitchell has spoken openly about how fatherhood affects his outlook.

In 2019, he explained how his young daughter influenced him during difficult periods. “She has seen me sad, and it’s pretty sad for me,” Mitchell said. He added that he wanted to maintain high spirits around her.

Fatherhood has therefore remained an important part of Mitchell’s personal life. In 2026, he also spoke about eventually raising his four children on his Taree farm. That ambition shows how strongly he remains connected to his roots.

SALARY AND NET WORTH

How much does Latrell Mitchell earn?

Mitchell is one of the NRL’s highest-profile players with his current contract running through the end of the 2027 season. Recent reporting places his current salary at around $1.1 million per season.

One estimate placed a possible future salary at around $1.4 million annually. However, that figure remains a reported projection rather than a confirmed contract.

Brand partnerships

Mitchell’s commercial value extends beyond his NRL salary.

In February 2026, Oxen Sports announced him as a global ambassador.

The partnership reflects his growing profile in international rugby league markets.

ALSO READ: Who is Isaiya Katoa? Inside the Dolphins star’s family, partner and NRL career

Oxen described the deal as one of its most significant athlete partnerships. Mitchell has also previously been associated with major sportswear and commercial campaigns.

His combination of sporting success, personality and cultural influence makes him commercially attractive. The Oxen partnership also gives him a growing presence outside Australia.

His properties and farm

One of Mitchell’s best-documented purchases involved his parents. Mitchell has also maintained strong links with rural life around Taree. His own farm has become an important retreat from professional rugby.

In 2026, he described the farm as his happy place and spoke about eventually raising his children there.

That lifestyle contrasts sharply with the attention surrounding his NRL career. It also reflects Mitchell’s continuing connection with the community where he grew up.

CONTROVERSIES

The 2020 COVID-19 breach

Mitchell’s career has included several controversies away from the field.

One of the biggest came during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when he travelled to a property near Taree with fellow NRL players. The group breached strict public-health restrictions.

Police issued Mitchell with a $1,000 infringement notice, and the NRL later imposed a $50,000 fine.

He also received a one-match suspension. The league said the incident brought reputational damage to the NRL and

Mitchell subsequently apologised for his actions.

The 2021 Joey Manu tackle

Another major controversy came during the 2021 season.

Mitchell made high contact with former Roosters teammate Joey Manu, who then suffered a serious facial injury.

Mitchell was initially sin-binned during the match. The NRL judiciary later charged him with grade-two reckless high contact, and he accepted a six-match suspension.

The ban ended his 2021 season, and the incident became one of the most controversial moments of his career.

Mitchell later returned to rugby league after serving the suspension.

Disciplinary issues continued

Mitchell has also faced other disciplinary problems during his career.

In 2021, he received a four-match suspension for dangerous contact.

The charge followed incidents involving David Nofoaluma. He also received financial penalties for other incidents during that match.

In 2023, Mitchell was sent to the sin bin against Newcastle. His elbow made contact with Tyson Frizell’s head.

He subsequently missed South Sydney’s crucial final-round match through suspension. These incidents have contributed to his reputation as an intense competitor. However, they have also highlighted the importance of controlling his aggression.

Racism and his decision to speak out

Not every controversy surrounding Mitchell has involved his own conduct. Some of his most difficult moments came through racist abuse. In 2019, Mitchell publicly confronted racist comments directed towards him.

He spoke about the impact that abuse had on his family and also challenged broader racism against Indigenous Australians.

“There’s a long way to go for our culture to be even recognised as equal,” he said.

His decision to speak publicly earned support from prominent sporting figures. Former AFL champion Adam Goodes was among those who supported him.

Mitchell’s stance eventually became a defining part of his public identity and remained one of rugby league’s most prominent Indigenous voices.

LATRELL MITCHELL’S LEGACY

Latrell Mitchell’s career cannot be measured only through statistics.

He has won two NRL premierships and represented Australia and New South Wales.

He has also become a major figure for the Indigenous All Stars. His powerful playing style has made him one of rugby league’s most feared attackers.

Yet his influence extends beyond the field. Mitchell has consistently spoken about his family and Indigenous heritage. He has also maintained a strong connection with Taree.

His decision to buy his parents a dream home showed the importance of family.

His farm has similarly become a symbol of his connection to country life.

Meanwhile, his commercial partnerships demonstrate his growing influence beyond rugby league. His career has also contained injuries, suspensions and difficult public moments.

Those setbacks have added complexity to his story.

ALSO READ: Demitric Vaimauga’s Journey: Age, Family, Partner, and Career

In 2026, Mitchell returned from a serious nerve problem affecting his lower back.

He missed 12 games before returning late in the season and also helped South Sydney reach the finals. Mitchell admitted that he feared his season could be over.

“I didn’t really know if I was going to play again this year,” he said.

His return ultimately earned him selection for Australia’s 2026 World Cup campaign. That comeback offers another important chapter in his career.

At 29, Mitchell still has significant rugby league years ahead. His challenge now is combining his enormous talent with consistency and discipline.

If he succeeds, his legacy could become even greater. For now, Latrell Mitchell remains one of Australian rugby league’s most fascinating modern stars.