Fans have reacted with anger after Latrell Mitchell got away with a questionable late hit during South Sydney’s Good Friday win over the Bulldogs.
In a heated contest, the Rabbitohs went on to win the game 32-24 to secure a third win from four matches to start the season.
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Mitchell had moments of magic and his 66th minute try made it 32-18.
However, the mercurial centre also appeared to have a moment where he crossed the line with a late hit on Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey.
On a fifth tackle in the Bulldogs’ red zone with no obvious attacking options on offer, Mitchell put through a cheeky, no-look grubber kick into the in-goal area with seven minutes left.
Mitchell darted after his own kick as Tracey shielded the Steeden as it rolled over the dead ball line.
The South Sydney superstar was seen cannoning into Tracey’s back, resulting in the Bulldogs No. 1’s back whipping backwards in ugly fashion.
You can watch the incident in the video player above.
Replays showed the ball was well beyond the dead ball line when Mitchell made contact.
Mitchell was not penalised by the referees and the incident was not cited by the NRL Match Review Committee.
NRL commentators appeared to disagree with the call not to penalise Mitchell.
Roosters legend Brad Fittler said on Channel 9 Mitchell “just took out his legs”.
Michael Voss said on Fox League: “Oh Latrell be careful. It went past the dead ball line and he went for the legs of Tracey”.
Brenton Speed said on Nine: “Oh be careful. Latrell Mitchell sliding through on Connor Tracey and some afters with Matt Burton.
“This could explode I reckon in the last six minutes if the ref’s not careful.”
Burton was the only Bulldogs player to confront Mitchell after the late shot with Mitchell bumping him off as they ran back for a 20m tap.
One video of Mitchell’s hit on Tracey has spread across cyberspace with more than 200,000 views on X.
The author behind the viral video posted: “I hope @NRL site Latrell Mitchell for this dangerous contact on Connor Tracey over the dead ball line.
“Ball was dead when he hit him late, could have broken his back. F***ing dog shot if I’ve ever seen one.”
Former Fox Sports commentator Neil Evans wrote on X: “Disgraceful… could have caused severe spinal damage”.
One X user wrote: “Latrell dog shot on Tracey not being looked at by the video ref was very odd.
“Dogs forwards not walking over and belting Latrell for it also telling.”
Another posted: “Latrell is the NRL definition of that fine line between a cheeky reckless red liner and an over aggressive grub”.
Others however, spoke out in defence of Mitchell with some suggesting it was a legitimate attempt to keep the ball in play.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was not happy with the refereeing after the game.
When asked about some of the controversial calls made, he responded: “I’m going to have to have a look at them, but I’m not sure how much of it we could control.
“The fact you’re asking me if they’re contentious probably means they are, but I don’t know, I’m sitting up in the box.
“The reality is we got penalised six or seven times in the second half. They completed 24 sets straight, so they did a great job with that. And we had no possession, no field position.”
Ciraldo also ruled skipper Stephen Crichton out of Thursday night’s massive clash with premiership favourites Penrith after his star centre suffered an AC joint injury.
“It’s not looking great in there,” Ciraldo said of Crichton’s situation in the Bulldogs’ dressing room.
“They’re saying sort of high grade two, grade three, possibly AC. That’s the initial sort of thoughts on it so he’ll be out for a while.
“Doesn’t sound great though.”
