Is there a major discipline and recruitment problem at the Sydney Roosters, or is the club just unlucky?
I have refrained from writing on the Australia Day revelations surrounding Mitchell Pearce up until now, but the more I think about that seedy video we’ve all seen, the more I think there could be an inherent problem with the red, white and blue.
The problem does not lie with club leaders, such as Nick Politis and head coach Trent Robinson, but there are some serious shortcomings regarding the players they recruit, and the checks and scrutiny of those who transgress.
More Mitchell Pearce:
» Mitchell Pearce: The fault lies not in footy stars, but in ourselves
» 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
» Roosters stand down disgraced captain Mitchell Pearce
» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog
It has been well documented that co-captain Pearce had earlier form, which cost him an Origin series. The Roosters felt he had learned his lesson and handed him a leadership role, but he has stuffed up again – big time.
No-one was looking out for him. No need, huh? Co-captain and the next we see is a sorry player telling the media he has an alcohol problem.
Can’t clubs see portents of drama from their players, senior or otherwise? In this day and age – surely – powderkegs can be identified by the dozens of backroom staff, minders, psychologists, personal development officers, PR people, tummy ticklers and so on.
It’s hard to believe that a player of Pearce’s standing can screw up deluxe and then face the media, shame-faced and teary, confessing he has a problem with the booze that has subsequently needed an overseas stint in a rehab centre to try to fix.
Was no-one in Roosterland aware Pearce was a risk on the demon drink? Could it be some knew and refused to do anything, as he was a star player?
Some will say that Pearce’s was an isolated case – blown up by some jerk who took and released a tawdry mobile phone video – but the club has history, and steps should be taken by its administrators to stop the rot.
There’s no need to list Roosters players who have brought the club into disrepute, one way or another, over the past five to ten years. I could probably write a similar comment referring to many of their rival clubs.
But the Sydney Roosters are supposedly one of the NRL’s leading lights. People expect them to be well-run and highly competitive on the field every season. There is a status involved here and the foundation club has taken another savage hit.
Should the Roosters take a longer and harder look at the footballers they sign? Are their recruitment people attracting the right calibre personnel?
The Sydney Swans, among other sporting organisations, have the so-called ‘no dickheads’ policy that comes to the fore before contracts are offered, let alone signed.
Could it be that the Roosters are prepared to sign footballer miscreants under the mistaken and supremely arrogant view that they will bring them to maturity, curbing their bad-boy ways?
If that is indeed the case, it is not working. Not a jot.
How poor is the club’s scrutiny and control of its highly-paid professionals when they are let loose in the real world?
As I see it, this club is collectively letting down its players, supporters and sponsors. The once-lofty reputation of the Roosters as a leading club is taking way too many hits.
pete bloor
Guest
I don't really get it. The author himself says that every club has this problem but the roosters need a long hard look at themselves because they are supposedly the leading lights. I'm not sure that's ever truly been the case as the club has seemed to have the same equal share of offshore drama right? So doesn't that mean that if there is a truly subversive problem it exists at the NRL level?
Niall
Guest
The whole contact drama and backflip nonsense. I know others have reneged on deals but the whole drama and the way he and his management handled it was a bad look for the game. Looking at the list, there's probably 10-20 players that I forgot to mention.
pete bloor
Guest
And that was dealt with by the club right?
pete bloor
Guest
To be fair he could trot out a lot of other names in place of Inglis
Roostermark
Guest
But was a Raider when that incident happened.
john neeson
Guest
Roosters clearing the ranks for $BW and Hayne (Jarryd not $hane)
The Barry
Roar Guru
"he has embarrassed every person who loves rugby league" No offence - but it's these sort of comments that lead to these incidents being blown out of proportion. I love rugby league and have for well over 30 years. He didn't embarrass me in the slightest. 0.00% of my feelings about myself are attached to the behaviour of Mitchell Pearce while he's on the pen and ink. And although I don't know you I'd respectfully suggest that yours shouldn't either. His actions reflect on him and probably his family. He deserves to be punished for (mildly) bringing the game into disrepute but there's no reason whatsoever to for us to be embarrassed. It's that line of emotional response that leads to these massive over reactions of this is a disgrace ! he's embarrassed everyone ! wipe him out of the game ! and the media feeds the frenzy with the ridiculously overstated headlines... sex act with a dog ! indecent assault ! vandalism and property damage ! see the video here !
Agent11
Guest
It doesn't fit the national media agenda that AFL is full of grubs aswell. Or maybe people just care more about Nrl, more bigger profile players. To be honest I've never heard of most of these players...
planko
Guest
He is a norths man not a souths man ..... Olde norths not the new incarnation.
planko
Guest
Is simulating pissing in your mouth illegal ? Cause of the camera angle you can't tell whether he did or not ?
planko
Guest
I have one thing to say what is worse "Hitting and mentally torturing your missus" or simulating a sex act with a dog ?
planko
Guest
What did DCE do ?
Linda Grace
Guest
John Sutton and Luke Burges getting arrested in USA, club hiding it. Bra boy links,how many domestic violence charges one was found guilty . I think another foundation club has just as many issues.
DL2136
Guest
monaghan was a rooster too - the club should definitely start doing that
HarryT
Guest
I thought what they did with Jake Friend was admirable. The problem with working with young men is that they sometimes don't listen. Doesn't matter how much guidance and how many programs you have.
Paul
Guest
Written like a true Souths man tim you are so predictable and jealous of the roosters.
Roostermark
Guest
But, has he done anything illegal ? So you wan't to deregister a player for getting pissed and acting like a goose. As I said Club Issue and if the club doesn't give a good enough suspension the the NRL can enforce their own.
Mike from tari
Guest
He did wrong by going off with people he didn't know, he was pissed, he has embarrassed every person who loves rugby league, if Tod Carney was sacked by Cronulla then will the Roosters sack Pearce & will the NRL back that up with a non registration for this season, if they don't do that then Carney & Monaghan, Cronulla & Canberra, in particular Canberra can feel very aggrieved, maybe the NRL would register him to play for Canberra as the Roosters certainly have benefitted from Canberra's sackings.
Mike from tari
Guest
Poor Munster.
Roostermark
Guest
What can you do drinking alcohol isn't illegal, has he been charged with an offence. Yes it was very unsavory but all this has been blown out of proportion. Club issue and it should be handled at club level. Personally as a Rooster supporter i think he should cop the same punishment Jake Friend copped earlier in his career as it gives plenty of time for him to sort out his demons so to speak and may make him look back on what he lost, so 12 months off with rehab and counselling. But this is just my opinion.