Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell opens up about his drinking ban and the battle to ‘control the monster’

NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has opened up about his self-imposed alcohol ban and the constant battle to control his ‘inner beast’.

The Rabbitohs full-back, 24, returned from suspension on Thursday night as his team faced the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.

This will be Mitchell’s first game since he fractured the cheekbones of former Roosters teammate Joey Manu last August.

The reckless incident kept Mitchell out for six weeks, and in early October he was forced to watch Penrith beat South Sydney 14-12 in the thrilling NRL final.

Many rugby league pundits believe that if Mitchell lines up for the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, they will win the 2021 championship.

This week, Mitchell revealed he’s been ‘dry’ for 10 weeks – and has never felt better.

NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has opened up about his self-imposed alcohol ban and the constant battle to control his ‘inner beast’

The Rabbitohs full-back, 24, returned from suspension on Thursday night as his team faced the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park

Center of the Roosters in Sydney, Joey Manu (pictured) did not play in the final after breaking his cheekbone following a horror tackle from Latrell Mitchell

‘I like a beer, don’t get me wrong. But now I want to get in top form and play well with some legs,” he said.

‘You have to make sacrifices to get what you want. It’s not big, it’s just a lifestyle change. I’m pretty proud to be able to do that and the space in my head is very clear. ‘

On the field, Mitchell knew he had to limit his frenzied moments to become an asset to the Rabbitohs.

“It’s about controlling the beast I have inside of me,” he told Fox Sports.

‘I don’t need to change the way I play, because I play the game the way it should be. It’s more about controlling that part of the aggression, knowing when to use it. ‘

When asked about the highly-anticipated game against the Roosters on March 25 – and Manu – Mitchell knew full well his former teammates would be ‘headhunting’ at Accor Stadium in Sydney’s west.

He added that he still regrets the incident with Manu, before adding ‘better rugby league with Latrell and Joey in it’ and that their class players are the reason ‘fans pay to sit in their seats.’

Mitchell and his South Sydney teammates will be looking to put a dent in Craig Bellamy’s 500th game in charge of Melbourne on Thursday night.

Bellamy won the top three championships with the Storm after replacing Mark Murray before the 2003 season.

Latrell Mitchell could continue his alcohol ban for the whole season and after a long layoff will return on Thursday night

If Mitchell stays fit, he will be among the first names in the NSW Blues team standings for State of Origin in 2022.

Source: | This article originally belonged to Dailymail.co.uk