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PRENTICE: Roosters need to take a long, hard look at themselves

2nd February, 2016
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Mitchell Pearce was banned for eight weeks, and fined $75K. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Expert
2nd February, 2016
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Is there a major discipline and recruitment problem at the Sydney Roosters, or is the club just unlucky?

I have refrained from writing on the Australia Day revelations surrounding Mitchell Pearce up until now, but the more I think about that seedy video we’ve all seen, the more I think there could be an inherent problem with the red, white and blue.

The problem does not lie with club leaders, such as Nick Politis and head coach Trent Robinson, but there are some serious shortcomings regarding the players they recruit, and the checks and scrutiny of those who transgress.

More Mitchell Pearce:
» Mitchell Pearce: The fault lies not in footy stars, but in ourselves
» The new and improved NRL Code of Conduct
» Mitchell Pearce speaks for first time following Australia Day scandal
» Whatever Pearce’s punishment, make sure he learns from it
» Roosters stand down disgraced captain Mitchell Pearce
» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog

It has been well documented that co-captain Pearce had earlier form, which cost him an Origin series. The Roosters felt he had learned his lesson and handed him a leadership role, but he has stuffed up again – big time.

No-one was looking out for him. No need, huh? Co-captain and the next we see is a sorry player telling the media he has an alcohol problem.

Can’t clubs see portents of drama from their players, senior or otherwise? In this day and age – surely – powderkegs can be identified by the dozens of backroom staff, minders, psychologists, personal development officers, PR people, tummy ticklers and so on.

It’s hard to believe that a player of Pearce’s standing can screw up deluxe and then face the media, shame-faced and teary, confessing he has a problem with the booze that has subsequently needed an overseas stint in a rehab centre to try to fix.

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Was no-one in Roosterland aware Pearce was a risk on the demon drink? Could it be some knew and refused to do anything, as he was a star player?

Some will say that Pearce’s was an isolated case – blown up by some jerk who took and released a tawdry mobile phone video – but the club has history, and steps should be taken by its administrators to stop the rot.

There’s no need to list Roosters players who have brought the club into disrepute, one way or another, over the past five to ten years. I could probably write a similar comment referring to many of their rival clubs.

But the Sydney Roosters are supposedly one of the NRL’s leading lights. People expect them to be well-run and highly competitive on the field every season. There is a status involved here and the foundation club has taken another savage hit.

Should the Roosters take a longer and harder look at the footballers they sign? Are their recruitment people attracting the right calibre personnel?

The Sydney Swans, among other sporting organisations, have the so-called ‘no dickheads’ policy that comes to the fore before contracts are offered, let alone signed.

Could it be that the Roosters are prepared to sign footballer miscreants under the mistaken and supremely arrogant view that they will bring them to maturity, curbing their bad-boy ways?

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If that is indeed the case, it is not working. Not a jot.

How poor is the club’s scrutiny and control of its highly-paid professionals when they are let loose in the real world?

As I see it, this club is collectively letting down its players, supporters and sponsors. The once-lofty reputation of the Roosters as a leading club is taking way too many hits.

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