As a long time Sydney Roosters supporter it pains me to see the Club in such turmoil due to the lewd indiscretions of its captain Mitchell Pearce.
For Pearce to come out and make a public apology and declare that he “has an alcohol problem that he has to address and that he needs help” was really big of him considering that this wasn’t his first alcohol-fuelled indiscretion.
Sure, it’s a sad indictment and reflection on society as a whole that young men feel the need to drink excessively without any thought of the consequences for their actions, but there comes a time when people and especially those with a high profile have to take responsibility for their actions.
My heart goes out to his parents, who must be at their wits end and struggling to understand why their son Mitchell continues to bring embarrassment upon his family.
Like it or not rugby league players are role models and to even try to argue that they’re not is absurd, they’re professional sportsmen who have an obligation and responsibility to represent themselves and their club with pride and dignity at all times.
Whether he was in a private residence and was oblivious to being filmed is irrelevant, Pearce as the captain of the Sydney Roosters should have been leading by example.
It’s a given that the Sydney Roosters will have to strip Pearce of the captaincy and if the NRL is fair dinkum then they have no choice but to hand out a lengthy suspension and substantial fine because quite obviously the penny just doesn’t seem to have dropped with him yet.
It can only be hoped that Pearce’s trip overseas to get the help that he desperately needs is the turning point in his life. When he finally returns to Australia and to the field I hope he self-imposes an alcohol ban and has a different outlook on life.
The NRL and its integrity unit has a duty to the game of Rugby League to show strong leadership and discipline when they hand down their punishment to Pearce, if they don’t their credibility will also be brought into question.
Casper
Guest
Being a mollycoddled and protected scholarship holder in the NRL system from 14 years old, with a bit of ability and good pedigree has meant he's been cut too much slack for years and this is the latest result. His attitude is borne out by his "old man" sledge on JT early in the origin flogging, and didn't he get reminded of it at that last scrum. Still one of my favourite viewing moments. Life lesson, If you intend to sledge a legend, have more than words to back you up. Seems he never learns from these lessons. We've probably all had mates who shouldn't drink grog for one reason or another, and quite often end up cutting them loose because they don't listen or learn so 26 should have seen him have some sense. Maybe it's the fact they're off it for so long during the pre-season and then a long season, they lack tolerance of the alcohol in their system?
Doug Graves
Guest
It was a dog act by Pearce!
Scrum
Guest
Pearce was Captain of the Roosters- a leadership role. If these are the actions of a Leader it is a sad reflection on society. Plus he is on huge money & 26 years of age- not 19 or 20. He is obviously very immature- and they made him Captain with his previous track record. All the apologists can say this is a common problem in Society. Sorry, none of that washes.
Beardan the Great
Guest
oh the outrage, oh the humanity
Joey Mornier
Guest
The dog didn't file a complaint. It appears the simulated sex was consensual. What's the big deal?
MAX
Guest
Inglis, MM and NZB could go through all the catalogues of their major sales in the time devoted to MP. The colt by Balmain from Bondi has had his time in the ring. As the man with the hammer says " We are not quite there, we'll have to put him aside"