Keaon Koloamatangi has supported his South Sydney teammate Latrell Mitchell after Anthony Mundine criticized the Rabbitohs star. Mundine raised questions about Mitchell’s involvement in the racism controversy between Ezra Mam and Spencer Leniu, challenging Mitchell’s stance on the matter.
The dispute originated on social media, with Mundine defending Sydney Roosters’ prop Leniu and denying any racial connotations to Mam being called a ‘monkey.’ Mitchell strongly disagreed with Mundine’s viewpoint, labeling it as “absolute nonsense” and urging him to “do better.”
In response to Mitchell’s criticism, Mundine took to Facebook to exchange a series of jabs with the fullback, questioning Mitchell’s right to weigh in on the racism issue.
“Latrell has earned the right,” Koloamatangi stated on Sunday, referring to Mitchell’s ability to voice his opinions and stand up for what he believes in.
“At only 26 years old, his contributions to the game, his community, and his people are remarkable, perhaps even surpassing his on-field achievements. He consistently demonstrates his strong convictions and will speak out if something doesn’t seem right, and we fully support him in everything he says.
“He doesn’t speak without reason. Whatever he feels compelled to say, he does so with authority, and because of his influential public persona, people pay attention to him, and he has a significant impact on the community.
“He serves as an exemplary role model for younger individuals, particularly Indigenous people, and he will continue to lead by example in the future.”
Anthony Mundine’s remarks also criticized Mitchell’s on-field performances, suggesting that he should concentrate on his football rather than speaking out on the racism issue. However, Mitchell has consistently been a vocal advocate for Indigenous issues and has maintained a strong stance against racial insensitivity throughout his career.
“He was probably our best player last week, and he had a great pre-season…he’s probably the face of our game,” Koloamatangi commented.
“Everyone talks about him. He’s the number one person in the media, and when he has a bad game, everyone jumps on him, but we should focus on his recent outstanding performance.
“He’s an easy target. When a team loses, someone has to take the blame, and obviously, Latrell is the biggest name in our team in the number one position. So, when our team is not performing well, he often faces criticism, but there are 17 other players who also have a role to play.
“I just want people to consider how he actually performs and how effective he is. He’s been dealing with injuries in the last couple of years, and we’ve felt his absence when he hasn’t played.”
“When he returns, he uplifts everyone because he’s the kind of player you enjoy being on the field with. You can count on him to give his all regardless of the circumstances, and he’s the most competitive player I’ve ever played alongside. I thoroughly enjoy playing with him.”
“Nothing seems to faze him, and he’s clearly learned to deal with pressure from a young age. He’s proven himself on the grandest stages in State of Origin and for the Australian team, so he’ll handle it just fine.”