Friend indeed: Co-captain hopes club culture convinces Latrell to stay in 2020

Jake Friend is hoping that whatever direction Latrell Mitchell takes with his future, the history and culture of the Sydney Roosters features in his decision-making.

The 22-year-old centre is contracted with the Roosters for 2020, but his name continues to be thrown into the mix of being on the move next season as clubs seek to fit him into their squads.

The Wests Tigers, Titans and the Rabbitohs are the most likely destinations for the goal-kicking international.

The Roosters retracted their offer beyond 2020 after Mitchell passed up a three-year deal understood to be worth around $800,000 a season.

Friend, the co-captain in the Roosters' back-to-back premiership triumphs, wants Mitchell - an integral member of the club's recent success - to remain with the team next season.

He hopes the club's renowned culture convinces Mitchell to stick around as they look to become the first team to win three straight titles since the Parramatta Eels achieved the feat in 1983.

"You have a chat here and there with someone over their contract but it's not in depth, or in any detail," Friend told pan66.com.

"So let him decide – individuals have got to do what they've got to do for themselves.

"You hope the team comes into that decision, and the club. But there also could be other factors that we don't know about. Ultimately it's up to Latrell."

Fellow Roosters veteran Mitch Aubusson voiced concern for Mitchell's well-being while the debate rages on about his playing future.

"He's a mate of mine, a really close mate, so I've been making sure he's on a really good head space and he has been when I've chatted with him," Aubusson said, who is positioned to be the most-capped Rooster in the club's history during next season.

Aubusson sits 11 games short of joining the NRL's 300 Club but only has to play 14 to pass Anthony Minichiello's record of 302 set when "The Count" retired in 2014.

But Aubusson said personal milestones were not entering his thinking as the club winds down operations before the Christmas holiday period.

He is hoping Mitchell will have some space and clarity over the off-season training break to return fully refreshed in January.

"For me as a friend, I want to make sure he's all right and it seems like he is doing OK now."

Friend and Aubusson were on hand to welcome for next year – Marrickville Prestige Smash Repairs, who have extended their partnership that began in 2014, and scaffolding business, Skyworkers Group.

Skyworkers have signed a two-year deal so their logo will feature on the back of the Roosters' training and playing shorts.