What Mitchell Pearce did on Australia Day was not the first time he has fuelled himself up with alcohol and publicly tarnished his image. After a while, this creates an untenable PR problem for the Roosters, and I wouldn’t blame them if they decide to take serious action.
Having said this, we need some perspective.
If we have all decided to take the moral high ground on this one, then we need to take a long hard look at the mainstream media who decided it was okay to deliberately distort facts to manufacture blatant click-bait.
Splashed everywhere were sensational headlines media groups knew would garner the most traction.
Yahoo led with ‘Mitchell Pearce’s obscene sex act with dog’, while The Daily Telegraph opted for “Disgraced Origin star’s dog act’. The list goes on.
The issue with the dog was a sidelight in this story. In a drunken state Pearce thought his actions of simulating sex for a few seconds was funny. Clearly they weren’t, but he did not harm the animal in any way. Yet the media ran with this angle because they knew it would whip up an online storm of controversy.
The real issue here was a man, who clearly has a problem with his behaviour when he drinks, being caught on cameras acting like a dick in someone else’s home.
But acting like a dick and engaging in something overtly criminal should be treated differently. Lamentably though, this is not the case with most media outlets – quite the opposite actually.
More Mitchell Pearce:
» 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
» Pearce faces anxious wait on NRL career
» Roosters stand down disgraced captain Mitchell Pearce
» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog
I’m hearing talk of tearing up Pearce’s contract and never letting him play in the NRL again. Do these same people think it’s okay that NRL players who have beaten up women are still playing our game?
As I said, let’s get some perspective.
If we are serious with our outrage about footy players meeting community standards, let’s take a stand and encourage the NRL to give out life bans to anyone who thinks it’s okay to bash their wife or girlfriend.
Where is the media driving this story? Oh that’s right, they’re still talking about the unharmed dog aren’t they.
At least Mitchell Pearce was drunk, what’s their excuse?
Spiritfree
Guest
Great comment! I also want to draw attention to the Kirisome Auva'a story. In January 2014, he rams an ex-girlfriend's head into a wall of her home after heavy drinking. He tells his club, the Rabbitohs, they suspend him for ONE WHOLE WEEK. It gets to court a few months later, but the magistrate delays her judgement for six months, which by an amazing coincidence allows him to play for the rest of the season, score a try in the grand final (not so grand for his ex-girlfriend, who was probably still traumatised) and take home a premiership ring. Which is worse, what he did or the reaction to it?
NSWelshman
Guest
Joel Monaghan simulated a sexual act with a dog & was forced overseas, Todd Carney simulated a sexual act & was banished overseas............both didn't hurt anyone except themselves! No one made excuses for either of these guys so none should be made for Pearce......he should be banned for a reasonable time. However bashing a woman is just plain cowardly & wrong!! These guys seem to get off with barely a whimper, yet being a normal bloke & doing silly things that we have all done is a blasted all over the media..............go figure!
James T
Guest
When Robert lui only got 12 months it's hard to see how Pearce should be sacked. It seems u can get away with a lot if the media don't care or you're a special player( think Warne and johns)
James T
Guest
Make Pearce play as an amateur for six months, work all day train at night, play on weekend, he'll soon figure out how good he's got it. Send him to somewhere like Moree, reckon he'll last about 2 weeks of getting smashed.
Big J
Guest
Johnno while I agree with your morals if footballers while like ned Flanders they would not even play football and further more homer and ned are fictional characters and aren't real. Also watch game of thrones and spacatus much???
duecer
Guest
You're cherry picking statements on what was a positive article, as Epiquin alludes to, it wouldn't hurt the NRL to find out a bit more about how successfully the Swans have utilised this policy... so far.
Karlos
Guest
Go back to phil kearns wallaby captain actually performing a sexual act with a dog, videoed by his wife and sent to wallabies. Media says funny and jolly goid chap.
3 Hats
Guest
DEAN, I think if you read the story correctly you will find it was the YOUNG BLOKE who invited the footballers back to the flat. NOT the young women. IT is not breaking the LAW in recording someone on Video. Have a look mate on youtube, people, and the MEDIA do it every day. Nobody has ever been CHARGED.
3 Hats
Guest
Yes, Roostrmark, you are spot on, many clubs in the past have had to "clean house" and get rid of bad influences for the good of the game and for their particular club! WE have all made errors of judgement when we were young and Naive that we may have been ashamed of and that we have had to bite the bullet and move on! Pearce is 26, not 18! He should know better. I keep hearing that Mitchell is a good bloke, but the demon drink seems to get the better of him. There lies the answer... get clean mate!
3 Hats
Guest
JOHNNO. Womanising and ONE night stands have been around, since the 1st Century MATE. Get off your high horse!
Norad
Guest
So absolutely zero care for our nation's kids who were shown something by the media that if it was broadcast on a tv show, commercial or movie would have required a MA or higher rating? Media can make their money but to be completely indifferent to community standards themselves is pathetic imo. What MP did was in front of a few adults in a private home. What the media are doing is showing across Australia a film without any regard to the age of the audience. Plenty of sensible and solemn adults too can have done without having that film shoved in front of their eyes. That was the media who did that, not MP. Too excuse their conduct as it is news and they just making a business is not on imo.
Steve
Guest
I think this calls for one year off for MP. Why? It's not his first chance. The NRL need to get serious and have a 3 strike behaviour chart out in the public domain just like school kids get. The clubs will need one too for trying to cover up offences. Player. Club 1st offence = 6 months 4pts 2nd offences = 12 months 6pts 3rd offence = goniski. 8pts
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The media keep showing it because people want to hear and read about it. They make money off website hits and viewers, so as long as there is demand they will show it. It's an advertiser supported business Just like Hayne, they kept pumping out stories because people kept reading them. And more hype equals more viewers/hits. We don't censor our news in this country Just look at the number if articles and comments on this site. If its an issue for you then just ignore it all
Norad
Guest
It wasn't MP who filmed the incident. It wasn't MP who showed the film across Australia 1000 times in the days since. The media hiding behind the argument that they are justified in showing it all on the basis it is news does not imo excuse their conduct. It is the media and not MP who is putting this stuff in front of Australia's childrens eyes.
ads2600
Guest
You mean the courts who let rapists & murderers, out on bail to commit the same acts again? Yep I trust their wisdom & judgement, not.
Johnno
Guest
"The Barry", are you also the Barry. And WTF you on about, you it seems condone people who want to drink and be womanisers, rather than family values. Are you more Homer Simpson, than Ned Flanders, The Barry. Ned Flanders is good, Homer is a slob. If more NRL players were like Ned Flanders, and not Homer Simpson the NRL would be in a better place.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It shouldn't be a race to the bottom. I personally don't care but if the NRL wants this stuff to stop then they have an opportunity to send a message now. NRL is the laughing stock and if we want to be taken seriously we need to act serious. He's the star player at the Roosters though so he will get counseling and done time off.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
What type of woman would invite 3 complete strangers who are staggeringly drunk into her home? What type of woman smiles directly into the lens of a smartphone after being kissed by a stranger? Why would a lesbian want 3 drunk male strangers in her residence? Did this woman receive amphetamines from any of these strangers at the Royal Oak Hotel? Did this woman expect to receive amphetamines from any of these strangers in her place of residence? Did the man holding the smartphone gain permission from the strangers to film them in a private residence? Where is the footage immediately preceding the kiss? Was the kiss encouraged by the female? Why did Channel Nine and The Daily Telegraph use footage from a private residence when their team of lawyers would have advised them that they would be braking the law to use such footage? Why hasn't this outraged woman who wants to end Pearce's career pressed charges? Has someone from The Roosters pulled out the chequebook?
Tom G
Guest
It is a classic way of transitioning the onus upon anyone but themselves.. They are awful drunks so rather than keep it under control get wasted and then blame the drink. I also don't wear the excuse that everyone gets a little over the top on the grog. Like most other people I know I may have done some things I thought weren't too clever the next day but when drunk have never been known to grope anyone, make a dumb physical joke about bestiality with their dog and top it off with soiling the hosts sofa. If anyone thinks this is just hi jinks and a normal night out get yourself seen to.
Tom G
Guest
She is a waste of oxygen who frankly would have practically rolled around the floor in raptures at the very thought of another NRL scandal