Mitchell Pearce has been stood down by the Sydney Roosters and his rugby league career is in serious doubt following an alcohol-fuelled incident on Australia Day.
The Roosters halfback looks set to be stripped of his captaincy and issued a significant fine as the club decides whether to sack or suspend their leader. In addition, Pearce’s latest misdemeanour will almost certainly see him dropped from the Blues this year.
Pearce has clearly violated the hardline stance held by Blues coach Laurie Daley against off-field indiscretions, which was adopted in a bid to change the culture of his side. This saw Daley issue a warning three years ago to all prospective NSW players, setting a precedent which saw Josh Dugan and James Tamou stood down for their own behavioural problems.
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» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog
Ironically, Pearce is no stranger to Daley’s discipline – he was dropped in 2014 for a separate alcohol-related incident – and now, two years later, is set to be stripped once more of his representative honours.
While it may come at a cost to Pearce, his punishment could see the Blues win just their second State of Origin title in eleven years.
Pearce’s NSW career has been underwhelming at best, the Roosters halfback largely unable to replicate the form that warrants his initial selection. His ability to challenge and threaten defensive lines with footwork and pace is often non-existent in a Blues jumper.
In his first twelve Origin games, Pearce touched the ball six hundred and sixteen times, yet broke the line only twice. Both his passing and kicking games have also been found wanting when in NSW colours.
This is not to mention the countless times Pearce has been terrorised by a Greg Inglis fend, or the sledge he will forever regret, calling Johnathan Thurston “too old” only to be completely outclassed by the 2015 Player of the Year in the series decider.
Given this much-maligned Origin career, and in light of his recent actions, there are some who wouldn’t be too sad to see him go.
Should Pearce be axed, former Blues half Josh Reynolds, Canberra No.6 Blake Austin and Sharks signing James Maloney loom as strong candidates for his replacement. Each contender would bring their own characteristics to the playmaking role, and would play a crucial part in leading the Blues away from their 52-6 demolition at the hands of Queensland last year.
Reynolds has adopted three pre-season initiatives that reflect a newfound maturity as a player: removing himself from unhelpful friends, implementing measures to manage his anger and trying not to dwell on past performances. This, coupled with his distinctive determination and doggedness, would serve him well if selected again for the Blues. His combination with incumbent NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson (although weakened by Hodkinson’s move to the Knights) will also hold some sway over Daley’s choice of five-eighth.
Blake Austin staked a strong claim last year for an Origin berth, which will only be bolstered after he was named in the Emerging Blues squad earlier this month. His unpredictability, energy and ball-running ability received the backing of former NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley, who believes the Canberra pivot is the man for the job.
“…he’s just a natural footy player,” Kimmorley told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“…you need someone different to create some spark and energy, and Blake’s that person.”
Perhaps the most unlucky halves contender however, is James Maloney. A proven performer on the representative stage, Maloney lost his Blues jersey not through a slump in personal form, but as a result of Pearce’s first Origin suspension. His running, kicking and goalkicking games are as strong now as they were in 2013, and if Pearce were to be axed this year, it would be ironic and fitting for Maloney to lead the Blues to a series win.
It is not yet apparent whom Daley will choose as his five-eighth this season. What is clear, however, is that Mitchell Pearce’s future now hangs by a thread. His second off-field indiscretion looks set to yield just as imposing a punishment as his first, which may well signal the end for the Roosters captain.
No one wants to hear of off-field misdemeanours, especially those that jeopardise a player’s career. But with the end of Mitchell Pearce comes the beginning of a new halves pairing, and the beginning of a new era for Laurie Daley’s men.
Pearce’s blues might be NSW’s blessing in disguise.
Tom Rock
Expert
I would really like to see Jarrod Mullen get another shot. He is rock solid in defense, a great ball-runner and has a top-shelf long and short kicking game. Obviously his form can be very patchy throughout the season, but if he is inform during the Origin period, I think he warrants strong consideration.
Tom
Guest
poor mal maninga having been privileged with such a talented squad of players who are all praised as untouchable gods and never remembered for their mishaps like every NSW player in the last 10 years has been, cry me a river
James T
Guest
Problem is Laurie doesn't seem to like to pick debutants, let alone two in the halves, otherwise I don't really have a problem with them. If Newcastle start well I can see Laurie picking Mullen and hodkinson.
Brian
Guest
Blues pick Farah and Pearce Queensland win three zip
Richard Maybury
Guest
I thought he was most of the time. Plays like he is brain dead most of the time. Pass me the ball, hang onto it, get clobbered. Pass me the ball .......
ross
Guest
time to make a stand and boycott channel 9 and daily telegraph/fox- enough of this gutter reporting
ross
Guest
you must live a dull life to count the numbers you mention in your ranters post - if they are true which is very doubtful but then again what is your sporting achievements josh hackfath -Tell us all and show proof of these exploits then.
ross
Guest
are people still writing about this - mmm get a life
paul
Guest
Ha Josh get a life .leave the poor bloke alone he cops it all the time . You a holes never leave him alone . You oxygen thiefs never done a mistake or had a problem yu team of losers
John
Guest
Mal must be having a good chuckle, good thing he took up the Kangaroos job when he did.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Interested to hear thoughts, but I wonder if what you mention will re-emerge once he starts being seriously considered for selection. Why pick a fight now, when there's no consequence? Particularly with Cronk, Thurston, Hunt, Milford, Morgan and Cherry Evans on the scene? He's not a realistic possibility at the moment. At the very least, it gives you a few years to have your people lobby behind the scenes for a rule change. And I don't imagine any Blues players would be too keen having him there if it's common knowledge that his heart lies elsewhere. Assuming I'm remembering this correctly, I found it interesting he was assessed as being injured shortly before being shortlisted for City Country...which obviously is the gateway to the NSW Origin side.
db swannie
Guest
I picked Austin & Sezer last yr when Aiden was still a Titan . Simply put Qld has a great blueprint for a halves combo . One tough cool calm thorough professional with a great kicking game ( Cronk) One off the cuff play what's in front of him unpredictable player(JT) . Sezer is a lot like Cronk ..has a lot of his qualities . Austin has the unpredictable factor . That halves pairing scares me far more than any other . The only reason it was no hope of happening was Daleys obsession with mythcell Pearce . No matter how many games he performed at a level that has seen many other halves thrown on the scrapheap ,he was an automatic selection . Mind boggling really .it wasn't just his poor playmaking ...poor kicking ,it was his speed bump impersonation in defence that made Qld fans giggle when his name was read out at no7 As For Sezer ,being at the Titans ...he was out of sight out of mind .
Andrew
Guest
Moylan! With Reynolds.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Paul Gallen could be in a coma and Daley will still pick him (pending fitness test on morning of the game)
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Koroisau is quite good, I'd point out that Damien Cook is also a good option if his form for Souths can mirror what he showed last year for the Bulldogs where he comfortably outshone Lichaa.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It's crazy hey Epiquin. I've never understood it either. It's like because everyone played sport growing up for fun and later for a bit of social interaction, people think these guys are getting overpaid for what amounts to nothing more than a pastime. Completely ignoring the sacrifices they have to make both on and off the field. I'd go as far as saying that I think most sports stars within Australia are underpaid.
Sid Vicious
Guest
interesting and you have played how many NRL/SOO games- zero i-Hack(fath) is an apt name for you.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'll have to take your word on that, but: - The NRL has decisively said he only qualifies for NSW - He has taken part in a NSW emerging Blues squad - Money talks
Epiquin
Roar Guru
People get so upset about sports stars earning big money, but are perfectly happy for actors and musicians to earn just as much, if not more. I've never understood that.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think it's a little from column A and a little from column B. No doubt societal expectations have changed and we demand more from our sports stars. But elite players in 2006 were still earning big $$, and people felt they should be held accountable. This isn't a last decade phenomenon. People have blown up about sports stars and inflated pay cheques for years and years. Now with added technology the public can keep these players in check. And actively seek out and manipulate to keep these players in check. Those earning big $$ in 2006 got away with shenanigans today's big $$ earners can only dream about. And the fish bowl is only going to get smaller from here on in.