Latrell Mitchell’s quest for glory in the Koori Knockout falls short after a narrow loss in the final
Latrell Mitchell’s quest for glory at one of the biggest Indigenous sporting events in the country fell just short as his team lost in the final on Sunday.
The Rabbitohs gun played for Walgett Aboriginal Connection alongside former Canterbury star Ben Beard in the Koori Knockout over the weekend.
The tournament, which celebrates Aboriginal footballers across New South Wales, hadn’t been held since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic but made its return this year.
Latrell Mitchell (right) and Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker (left) took part in the Koori Knockout over the weekend in New South Wales
Over 100 teams entered the tournament in Nowra, on the New South Wales south coast, which was attended by over 40,000 fans.
The Newcastle All Blacks claimed the trophy by beating Walgett Aboriginal Connection 22-16 and will get to host next year’s event – this year’s edition was hosted by 2019 winners South Coast Black Cockatoos.
‘We train for it, we work hard for it, and it paid off for us,’ NAB captain Scott Briggs told NITV after the final.
‘Just so proud of the young fellas we’re bringing through our foundation.’
Keen for more Rugby League tomorrow? Be watching @SBS from 9am for the finals of the Koori Knockout. @SSFCRABBITOHS star Latrell Mitchell scored this runaway intercept try to help Walgett Aboriginal Connection reach the semi-finals. They kick off the action at 9.10am with SF1 pic.twitter.com/QjCl4ISAlM
— Adrian Arciuli (@Adrian_Arciuli) October 2, 2022
Mitchell, who was playing in the centers rather than his usual fullback role, wasn’t the only Rabbitohs player involved in the tournament, with teammate Cody Walker playing for the Bundjalung Baygal Warriors.
The New South Wales fullback scored a double as Walgett Aboriginal Connection beat Bundjalung Baygal Warriors 16-10 to reach the semi-final on Sunday.
And the Bunnies are fully behind their stars taking part in the tournament even after a grueling NRL season.
‘Absolutely we are,’ Souths CEO Blake Solly told NewsCorp.

The South Sydney star is now recovering ahead of the Rugby League World Cup

Mitchell was named in the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad for the tournament on Monday
‘We’re really supportive of all our guys playing because it’s a wonderful and important tournament for the Indigenous community.’
Fellow NRL stars Josh Addo-Carr, Andrew Fifita and Daine Laurie were also involved in the tournament, as were former Manly stalwart George Rose and ex-Canberra and St George center Joel Thompson.
On Monday, Mitchell and Addo-Carr were both named in the Kangaroos’ 24-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup, which begins in England later this month.
Australia begin their title defense in Leeds against Fiji on October 15.
Latrell Mitchell’s quest for glory at one of the biggest Indigenous sporting events in the country fell just short as his team lost in the final on Sunday. The Rabbitohs gun played for Walgett Aboriginal Connection alongside former Canterbury star Ben Beard in the Koori Knockout over the weekend. The tournament, which celebrates Aboriginal footballers…
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