Premiership success lifted the monkey from Mitchell Pearce’s back and has primed him to deliver for NSW in State of Origin, says his former club skipper Braith Anasta.
Anasta believes 25-year-old Pearce – so often criticised amid the Blues’ repeated series defeats – is in career-best form and will only be more motivated by the negative publicity surrounding his wild Saturday night out, which attracted a one-game ban and fine.
From his Origin debut in 2008 at age 18, halfback Pearce has played 12 Origin matches, including all of the past three series’ games, but has enjoyed only three wins – all in Sydney, with one each in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 series defeats.
But former Sydney Roosters captain Anasta believes his former club’s 2013 premiership triumph was a watershed for Pearce.
“My belief is he got the monkey off his back when they won the premiership because I have seen it for ages,” Anasta told AAP on Wednesday.
“He has always been a dominant key player who can really dictate games and take it to the next level.
“When he won the premiership, I really thought this was going to be his year in Origin and I still think it will be.”
Anasta backed Pearce to come back stronger from the controversy over his off-field behaviour when ejected from two nightspots at the weekend.
“Pearcey is mentally strong. He has been through a lot. He has been through similar instances before,” he said.
“He has made a lot of sacrifices. Last year, he didn’t drink and they won the premiership; this time, he just stuffed up.
“He would be disappointed that it has got this much attention and feeling he has let his teammates down probably more than anything.
“He would be focused on Origin now and making sure of that.
“He wants to win more so than ever now to prove people wrong and get the job done.”
Having played in the NRL at just 17 and debuting in Origin at 18, Pearce has had to battle a weight of expectation on his career, Anasta believes.
“It comes with making the grade at a young age and having high expectations. That is where it starts,” he said.
“You get put on this pedestal. If you don’t reach the expectations that people really want you to reach at a young age, then there is really only one way to go, down, and Pearcey has been battling that over his career.
“Right now he is at the top of his game and he has to ride that for the rest of his career.
“He has played his best footy over the past 12 to 24 months and he should be confident in his own ability to get out there and get the job done.
up in the north
Guest
I saw Anasta on some sport show the other week, and he left me very underwhelmed. After reading those comments I don't think he's gotten any smarter.
Chui
Guest
Another 'Ha' missing?
Pearceoff
Guest
The irony ..... From one of the most overrated players to another LMAO!!!
Pearceoff
Guest
And you're not Pearce and Rossters fan are you?
Blueberry
Guest
There's a lot of Blues supporters that have been waiting for a long tome for that to happen! It doesnt look like it's happening anytime soon.
Scrubbit
Guest
"He has played his best footy over the past 12-24 months". So at some point over the last 2 years he was playing his best footy? I must've missed it. Either that or it wasn't all that impressive. Anyone who watches Pearce play the first thing they notice is a poor kicking game, second thing they notice is that he's too mechanical in his set plays and either lacks vision or simply ignores it alltogether. Not up to origin standard, hasn't been for 4 years won't be for another 1000 years.
KB
Guest
Youre not a Souths or more particularly a Manly supporter are you son?
KB
Guest
Thanks Braith..Mitchell will deliver and hopefully the forward pack will take us uptown enough times to put the pill over the line.
db swannie
Guest
Can anyone who watches RL explain to me how Mythcell is suddenly going to develop a good kicking game?. Any half who plays at rep level should have a good to brilliant kicking game . Pearce has not . He cant even get a repeat set when his forwards get into the QLD 20. He just hands the ball back over. I don't care how mentally tough you are . If you have not got the talent you should not be there.
B Ward
Guest
@ Pickett what after 12 chances he might steer NSW to a origin series win? please he has a baby sitter who does most of the attack in Malone who is in the side to calm him down (wtf kind of excuse is that ), all he needs now is a superstar ball playing second rower like SBW to make him look good
Pickett
Guest
IF Pearce is selected and he does somehow engineer a series win, there's going to be a lot of egss mixed in with those humble pies. It'll also show he's a pretty mentally tough bloke.
Slain
Guest
“He has always been a dominant key player who can really dictate games and take it to the next level." That will do me! ADIOS, Amigos!
Wilson Flatley
Guest
"Jobs for the boys"