Lost in the debate about whether Mitchell Pearce should be the starting halfback for New South Wales has been a more pressing issue.
While I wondered if my article calling Pearce a pretender who should leave directing the team around the park to Todd Carney was perhaps a touch too harsh, he went ahead and reminded me that I have never been so correct about anything in my life.
To put my thinking into some kind of context, it takes a lot to take my mind off yet another insipid performance by the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium.
More coverage:
Could Pearce’s arrest be a blessing in disguise
Pearce ‘lunged at a woman’: report
Well, kudos to Pearce. Not only did he take my mind off the Newcastle ‘Men in Tights’, he actually gave me a good old-fashioned Mother’s Day laugh.
Having witnessed Pearce score a try at the end of a Friday night game that required absolutely no skill, I figured that maybe he will finally do the job while wearing the sky blue No. 7 jersey. This would be on the proviso that Queensland have no forward dominance, Billy Slater drops bombs with regularity, and we’re already 20 points up with five minutes remaining.
Pearce was obviously so excited about finally contributing something to his team this season that he went on a big night out at Kings Cross.
At Kings Cross, that demure nightspot where nothing ever happens.
Just ask Ricky Ponting, Anthony Minichiello, Mark Gasnier, Todd Carney, Blake Ferguson and David Williams – nothing ever happens at Kings Cross.
So the smarter part of Mitchell Pearce decided to drink himself into a position requiring Police intervention after he apparently became rowdy at a location renowned for violent, drunken behaviour.
A location that has resulted in licensed establishments across Sydney now having to lock patrons out in the early hours of the morning due to alcohol-fuelled violence and fatalities.
Police were only involved for the purpose of asking Mitchell to leave a licensed premises. Given Pearce has previously had troubles involving the words ‘alcohol’ and ‘police’ during those lofty heights of partying that also involved the words ‘Todd’ and ‘Carney’, you would think Mitchell would have left his base and skedaddled.
Apparently not.
Police by all reports asked Pearce to leave, to which he decided that the only way he was leaving was under arrest and after charges had been laid. The police obliged.
Which brings me back to the original question: exactly how stupid is Mitchell Pearce?
Surely 10 days out from the naming of the 2014 Blues side, given he is the one of the few certainties to hear his name, you would think that he would just buy a case and celebrate at home.
He’s instead given haters like me even more ammunition, when our arsenal of weaponry to shoot him down is already bursting at the seams and requiring a second munitions shed.
I have previously had to rely upon how thoughtless he is on the field, but he has added the extra ingredient of being reckless and stupid off it.
If NSW are lucky, they will use this opportunity to put a good halfback in their side – Adam Reynolds, Tyrone Roberts, or even move Jarrod Mullen outside Maloney or Josh Reynolds. Maybe we will have a quality halfback who can kick and pass directing the team for the first time in years.
Pearce’s behaviour off the park is merely symptomatic of the player on the park. He has put himself in a position that puts himself and the game into disrepute.
Losing his place in any league for which side he is available for selection is a no-brainer.
And maybe a bit of time out of the game will make Pearce think about himself for a little. Maybe about where he can improve – starting with his behaviour, and more obviously his game.
The answer to the question, exactly how stupid is Mitchell Pearce, kind of answers itself.
A better question would be: how will Mitchell Pearce respond?
Rumpole
Guest
really did you see A Reynolds play on Friday night??- people bag MP gees what will say they if A Reynolds is picked and NSW lose which they will with him at half- oh he was unlucky it's his first game - the chips were too salty
jacko
Guest
A Reynolds - well after tonight he should be playing NSW CUP - not up to it even at NRL level including Sutton both dominated by Cronk and reggie Romello a backrower
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Once again rugby league fans show their true colours. It's not his fault that he continues to get selected. If he is not good enough, it is ENTIRELY the coach's and the selection committees's fault. It is 100% UTTERLY and COMPLETELY their fault. It has nothing to do with Pearce. Direct your bile towards Daley and the selection team. They are the ones you all should be screaming at, not Pearce.
ross
Guest
i could be a current or former player and coach or not of lower grades you guess who? think Bondi Junction though it will give you a clue ha ha ha ?
ross
Guest
im talking about all three games- still if he is fit he should be selected as well the stocks are low in the hooker/dummy half position(Ennis would be the next candidate)- im not like others here who do not support the blues and send negative vibes to the players this is why we dont win the SOO series.
ross
Guest
but i am not just think about it who i am ha ha ha
ross
Guest
mmm i could be Uncle Nick Politis Too you never know
ross
Guest
ha ha ha wax head suck it MP MP MP - Mitchell Pearce
ross
Guest
i could well be a ex or current Roosters player you guess mate- but the writer of this artlcle is not being fair to MP as he doesn't like him and writes a very biased article based on this dislike- no problems in writing an article to say xyx should be the half because of xyx has this and that attributes and we debate this but to say MP shouldn't be SOO half because they dont like them is well way too much for me as the writer has never played at a level to know what it is really like. easy to sit in the grandstands or at home and watch the replays harder to do this in real time. none of you have experienced this
ross
Guest
Inglis a game changer went missing in the finals series for Souths though didnt he - like A Reynolds especially absent whilst on duty in Souths biggest game of the year - 14 nil up and lose to Manly- Reynolds competant NRL player but not SOO for sure
ross
Guest
oh well when you obtain any knowledge of the game come back and make an informed opinion- A Reynolds went missing in the biggest game of the year for Souths- 14 nil up and lose says it all- not up to origin
ross
Guest
get a life then and chill out you need more mantras George Harrisson style
Dr Yes
Guest
Won't cost either Pearce or Maloney a spot if Pearce is not charged, nor suspended by the NRL. Whilst 'lunging at a pretty girl' and being argumentative and refusing to leave puts Pearce as a inebriated goose, and might I suggest, a sleazy pest, I can't see it being indictable. Videos look on the minor side - Pearce touched her as she walked past; Police were involved because they were patrolling in the club already and she complained to them. We're not talking 'Ben Teo' or 'Greg Bird' here. And 'going the grope' a la Ferguson would be a different matter - a form of assault. Character criticism is warranted. But suggesting we'll have a new halves combination is over-hyping the real situation. Like the other hundred over-excited commentators on here and newspaper sites (including a couple of senior journos).
Muzz
Guest
2 tries a piece in origin 3. So the worlds best half pairing Cronk and JT didn't do anything better than Pearce and Maloney.
Ret
Guest
I really think you should be apologising to Les Boyd for putting him in the same sentence as Mitchell Pearce. However, on further reflection, perhaps Mitch should be receiving the apology........
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Exactly. Inglis is a game changer. Pearce is a passenger.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Lol love your work Mitcher.
Solly
Guest
On behalf of all those that have stood by Pearce, this is so stupid, yep NSW can now turn to other halves combination, JReynolds and AReynolds, who cares anywhere QLD for a 9th win?
chuznut
Guest
The difference is that when the likes of Inglis makes a mistake, he makes it up to his team mates by then doing something spectacular in the following plays. I just finished watching a recorded version of last years game 3... Pearce didn't make it up to anyone.