Signings watch: The factor that could hinder Bears' pursuit of Latrell

With Latrell Mitchell set to hit the open market, Greg Alexander and Jimmy Smith have discussed the possibility of him signing with Perth.

Despite struggling with injuries throughout the season, which saw only 12 appearances, the 29-year-old was still dominant for South Sydney, managing 12 tries alongside 10 try assists.

Coming out of contract at the end of next season, the Rabbitohs centre will be able to have discussions with opposition clubs from November 1.

One of the clubs reportedly interested has been the Bears.

It’s been reported by News Corp that the NRL’s newest club is preparing an offer in the vicinity of $1.7 million per season for the NSW and Australian representative.

Although the reported offer is certainly tempting, Alexander doesn’t see the move as a realistic one.

  “I don't know, I can't really see Latrell flying five hours every second week,” Alexander said on SEN’s Kick Off.

“I'm speculating at the moment; I can't see Latrell going to Perth.”

Smith was in agreement, noting his injury history is not conducive to the amount of travelling the club will be doing throughout a season.   

“If you have lower back/hamstring issues that are neural in nature, the last thing you need to be doing is getting on a plane five hours each way every second week,” Smith noted.

“That is the last thing you need, and that then takes him that much further away from his retreat, his farm up there at Taree, which he loves getting to.”

Should the Bears be successful in their pursuit, the former Rooster, Rabbitoh and Western Suburbs forward believes it could be a perfect fit.

But notes they would have to pay considerable overs to bring him west.

“Latrell, when he is on the field, perfect for the Perth Bears,” he added.

“Latrell as a figure off the field for the Perth Bears, perfect.

“People would flock to him as a big personality over there in Perth. So all of that works for the Perth Bears.

“But when you get into the nitty-gritty of it, on the plane for 10 hours every second weekend and not being able to go back to the farm up there in Taree.

“It's a heavy premium that you have to pay on that.”

The Rabbitohs will be welcoming Payne Haas in for next season whilst losing Keaon Koloamatangi to the Dragons.