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Latrell Mitchell’s popularity has helped South Sydney land their latest suit deal - with a locally-owned country clothing company.
Ringers Western is the new official suit sponsor of the Rabbitohs and the company’s owner said he could never pass on the chance to work with good friend Mitchell.
It was not that long ago Souths were dressed by legendary designer Giorgio Armani, who had one of his tailors fly from Europe to spend two days measuring up every Souths player and staff member.
Souths part-owner and Hollywood star Russell Crowe was friends with Armani, and donned his suits for his wedding and Oscar appearances. The Armani deal was understood to be worth north of $150,000 every year for three seasons, and the suits were so precious that players who departed the club had to hand the super-expensive threads back.
Now, Souths players have embraced their inner Mudgee rather than their inner Milan - and it is all thanks to Mitchell.
Andrew Macdonald, Ringers Western’s owner, said he had spent a lot of time with Mitchell and fellow Rabbit Jai Arrow. The company, part-owned by St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt, has also provided suits for various NRL clubs, as well as the Kangaroos at last year’s World Cup.
Russell Crowe once had his Souths players dressed by Giorgio Armani - now Latrell Mitchell has helped secure the club’s latest suit deal
Mitchell rarely misses an opportunity to extoll the virtues of farm life whenever he returns home to the NSW mid-north coast. He and Macdonald spent time together on the latter’s farm when the competition was relocated to Queensland in 2021.
“Latrell and I are very good friends, he’s from the bush, and he pushed for this to happen at Souths,” Macdonald said. “I’m delighted to be involved with him and the club. Latrell is such a positive person and just a phenomenal human being.”