“I didn’t say it was a thing of the past, we’ve got to wait and see,” Bennett said. “I don’t want him in the sin-bin, I don’t want him sent off, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I don’t see any reason why that will happen.”

Mitchell will line up in the centres on Friday night, while Jai Gray remains at fullback – a move Bennett confirmed was only temporary. Mitchell will take over the goalkicking duties from Jamie Humphreys.

With Campbell Graham, Tyrone Munro and Alex Johnston all in the casualty ward, Mitchell’s switch to the centres is down to necessity, while also providing him with the chance to ease back into the side.

“He’s [Latrell] understanding of it,” says Bennett. “We talked about it, I didn’t ram it down his throat – that wouldn’t work – so we had a conversation about it.

“He realises the situation we’re in. He’s happy to play there and come back through that position and move back to fullback when everything has settled down again … Latrell felt the left side was his best side and that’s where he’s played before in the centres. Jack [Wighton] is a great team man, and he said ‘I’ll go to the right’, and he’s happy as anything over there. So he’ll be good for us, Jack.”

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The Rabbitohs have lost their past four games against the Roosters, but regardless of the result, Bennett says Mitchell’s return is great for the game.

“He’s wonderful for the game, but what he does on the football field is what makes him great, not the hysteria around him.”

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