Addo-Carr and Mitchell shorten NRL bans due to "ridiculous" loophole

SEN’s Corey Parker has slammed the NRL’s decision to allow Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr to use the upcoming All Stars fixture towards their suspensions.

Mitchell received a one-match suspension for bringing the game into disrepute after a photo circulated of the Rabbitohs star hunched over a white substance in a Dubbo hotel room.

Similarly, Addo-Carr was sacked by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs after testing positive to cocaine from a roadside drug test. The 29-year-old was handed a four-match suspension as a result.

The Rabbitohs’ and Addo-Carr’s new club Parramatta have successfully argued to the NRL that the Indigenous v Maori All Stars can count towards their bans. Mitchell will be available for South Sydney’s opening round clash against the Dolphins and Addo-Carr will be eligible for Parramatta’s Round 3 match against the Bulldogs.

Parker believes the suspension model needs an overhaul given both players have faced little to no consequence for their off-field actions.

“Latrell Mitchell was suspended for bringing the game into disrepute,” Parker said on SENQ.

“The NRL have allowed him to use the All Stars game as his suspension. Is that sufficient? I don’t think so.

“The Brisbane Broncos could use the All Star game for Ezra Mam. I don’t think they will (because) the heat that would be brought on the Broncos wouldn’t be good.

“If you bring the game into disrepute, you have to serve a suspension. It’s as simple as that.

“If you’re guilty of a high shot at club level, you should be suspended for club football.

“Your club is your employer and when Mitchell had those allegations, he brought his club (into disrepute).”

SEN’s Joel Caine held a similar view and labelled clubs who cynically use the All Stars loophole to have their star players avoid suspension as “ridiculous.”

“You must serve your suspension in the competition that you’re in,” Caine said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Every year, we have a player who isn’t serving their suspension because they use it for when they play for their country or the All Stars game. I’m against it big time.

“Joseph Suaalii after his hit in State of Origin Game I should’ve copped a ban for Game II and III. He should’ve been allowed to play for the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters shouldn’t have paid the price.”