The South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced the extension of the contracts of prop-forward Shaquai Mitchell and back-rower Ben Lovett until the end of the 2025 season today.
Mitchell, 28, has played 20 NRL games since making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs against the Sea Eagles in in round eight of the 2022 season. Mitchell has gone on to represent the Indigenous All Stars on three occasions between 2022 and 2024.
Lovett, 22, has played three NRL games since making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs against the Sea Eagles in round four of last season. Lovett won the Bob McCarthy Clubperson of the Year award and the Souths Cares award for the greatest contribution to the community in 2024, as well as South Sydney’s player of the year award in the 2021 Jersey Flegg Cup season.
Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, says he is excited to have Mitchell and Lovett locked in at South Sydney.
“Shaq has worked incredibly hard to get to where he has in his career so far,” Mr Ellison said.
“He continues to show the work ethic required to play at the NRL level and he has progressed to representing his people in the annual All Stars game on a regular basis as well. He is very skilful for a big man and he will play an important role in our team over the coming seasons.
“Shaq is also a wonderful family man being a father of three kids, and he is a strong, positive influence on our playing group, having overcome some of the hurdles he has faced in his career and his life.
“Ben is one of the most professional players we have at the Club and he has shown he has the work ethic and dedication to play at the NRL level.
“His commitment to his football is matched by his commitment to helping his teammates, his Club and his community.
“He’s moved to Sydney from Parkes and has made a home here at the Rabbitohs and we’re looking forward to having him back on the field in the red and green.
“We’re delighted to see Shaq and Ben remain in the red and green and we look forward to seeing their games progress further next season.”
Shaquai Mitchell
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Shaquai Mitchell |
| Date of Birth | 19 March 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Taree, NSW |
| Position | Prop |
| Height | 191 cm |
| Weight | 117 kg |
| Junior Club | Taree Red Rovers |
| NRL and Club Debut | Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles, Central Coast Stadium, 29 April 2022 (Rd 8) |
| NRL Games | 20 (all for the Rabbitohs) |
| NRL Points | Four (from one try) |
| Rep Honours | Three games for Indigenous All Stars (2022-24) |
| Awards | Rabbitohs NSW Cup Player of the Year (2022) |
Ben Lovett
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Ben Lovett |
| Date of Birth | 7 December 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Parkes, NSW |
| Position | Second row |
| Height | 190 cm |
| Weight | 102 kg |
| Junior Club | Parkes Spacemen |
| NRL and Club Debut | Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles, Accor Stadium, 25 March 2023 (Rd 4) |
| NRL Games | 3 (all for the Rabbitohs) |
| Rep Honours | NSW Country (2019); NSWCCC under 18s (2019) |
| Awards | Bob McCarthy Clubperson of the Year award (2024); Souths Cares award for contributions to the community (2024); Rabbitohs nominee for the Ken Stephen Medal (2024); Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year (2021) |
