Blues greats Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have backed Spencer Leniu and Latrell Mitchell’s choices to not communicate with the media amid a blended response.
Leniu hasn’t spoken to the media since his incident with Johnathan Thurston final month whereas Mitchell has determined to let his soccer do the speaking up to now this season.
Benny Elias described it as a “blight on the sport” to Large World of Sports activities, whereas Phil Gould reminded them they’ve “obligations” beneath NRL legislation.
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Spencer Leniu is on a media ban. Getty
Nonetheless, Johns says he has “acquired no downside in any respect” with it.
“I feel it is their very own determination, each the gamers, for no matter cause, whether or not they do not have relationships with sure media shops or really feel like they have been unfairly handled, I see it as their determination to not discuss and we must always respect that,” he stated on Large World of Sports activities’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“I do know there’s contracts and all this however it’s these two gamers’ determination and I help it.”
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Fittler warned there might be a precedent set by their actions.
“There must be one thing a bit extra formal I feel,” he stated.
Regardless of that, the previous Blues coach wasn’t essential of the stance from Leniu and Mitchell.
“I do not thoughts it truly, the quantity of discuss we do nowadays, having Latrell not discuss I feel has added intrigue to the sport,” he stated.
Brad Fittler and Latrell Mitchell. 9/Getty
“I feel that is the place a Wayne Bennett model character has actually helped our recreation as a result of he truly does not discuss and should you take a look at the opposite facet of it there’s a lot over-talking that it is turn out to be the actual rarity.”
Nonetheless, in the case of Origin soccer, the probability of an enormous speaking level will increase exponentially in comparison with membership matches.
Fittler believes it will current the primary downside with the choice.
“I really feel like in State of Origin there’s going to be moments, and if there’s a massive second we will wish to discuss to Latrell or whoever it’s, they could have to goal up,” he stated.
“The gamers signed a take care of the sport so it is between the sport and the gamers that they kind this out, I can settle for that gamers go on media bans for a sure time frame. You possibly can’t simply not discuss to the media endlessly.”
