Sources close to the situation but not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Mitchell has told those close to him he is considering the move. Mitchell feels a debt to the club after he was suspended for three matches following a brain snap against the Warriors which saw him collect veteran halfback Shaun Johnson in the face with a stray forearm.
The former Test star still has one week to serve on his ban and won’t play against reigning champions Penrith at Accor Stadium on Thursday night. He will return the following week against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kogarah.
The Rabbitohs sit at the bottom of the ladder with one win after eight rounds and have the worst defensive record in the competition. Mitchell will return to the NRL from suspension 16 days before NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire selects his team for the first game of the 2024 series.
As is the case each year,selection speculation is intense and Mitchell is reluctant to put himself and his club in the spotlight at a time when they need to turn around a disastrous start to the year.
Mitchell,who will play three games before the NSW team is named for game one at Accor Stadium on June 5,would battle for a centre spot alongside Stephen Crichton,Bradman Best,Tom Trbojevic,Izack Tago and Kotoni Staggs if in the selection mix.
In the aftermath of Mitchell’s suspension for the incident against the Warriors,he made a pledge to chief executive Blake Solly and Demetriou to repay the club.