Mitchell Pearce says he was not affected by drugs, but still did not even know he was being filmed during his drunken Australia Day escapade.
The NRL star told Alan Jones on Fairfax Radio on Monday he only learned the video had been shot of him simulating a lewd act with a dog when he was contacted by his Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson the next day.
Jones asked Pearce if speculation he was affected by drugs on the night of the incident was accurate, to which Pearce replied “no”.
Pearce also denied urinating in the Bondi apartment, and said he does not know the man who filmed the incident.
“My coach Trent Robinson gave me a call and explained to me there was a video of me from the night before which blew my mind a bit,” he said.
However Pearce says that while he is disappointed with the way the episode has played out, he takes full responsibility for his actions after a month-long stint in a Thai rehab clinic.
“Emotionally I’ve needed to grow up, I’m under no illusions about that,” he said.
“I’ve let myself down, I’ve let a lot of other people down. It’s not going to go away overnight, the hard work starts now.”
Pearce hopes his return to Australia also includes a reunion with the Roosters, however that may not be the case if the NRL’s women’s advisor Catherine Lumby has her way.
The NSW Origin playmaker is expected to cop a six-week suspension and $50,000 fine, but Lumby says that would merely be a slap on the wrist.
“Personally I wouldn’t (allow him back in the game) because of all the support and education he has had and the fact he is a senior leader who should know better,” she told News Corp Australia.
“He has had ample opportunity (to learn).”
Lumby is of the opinion Pearce’s actions were an act of aggressive harassment aimed at a female who had rejected his advances.
Pearce is likely to discover his fate this week, with new Roosters chief executive John Lees already showing some signs of contrition for the club’s halfback.
“There was no violence involved,” he told Fairfax Media.
“There was ultimately no bigger crime or major sort of criminal matter, but it’s a serious societal issue and that’s why we’re taking it seriously.”
Dr Yes
Guest
Once, I couldn't see a friend secretly filming me and that blanked out my memory for the whole day. That and the 15 beers.
Dr Yes
Guest
Eeeeeexxzzaackkly! Actually, Thurston's tirade was tit for tat. Pearce pointed out the score & called him 'old' as NSW won in Melbourne. Not this nicest, but, hey, it's SOO. http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/2015/11/15/15/56/thurston-reveals-pearce-sledge He hit a nerve - probably by winning, since Thurston's the most competitive on the field since forever. Thurston's never played with Pearce, nor been involved with him, nor had incidents in club games. Gall & Hayne speak up for him.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
It is rather more odd that you cannot see, in the preceding comment
to which my comment responds.Squidward
Roar Rookie
Odd comment. But I enjoyed reading it
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Rarely have I seen a public serve as intense, as personal and as destructive as that leveled at this Pearce character as that from the estimable Jonathan Thurston in last year's State of Origin.
... a virtuoso performance from a master. For a man of his standing, whose first reaction all the time is to smile and laugh, to react with such passion spoke volumes. Pearce stood transfixed, as a rabbit caught in the headlights, during Thurston's tirade completely helpless in responding. Mates who follow League more closely than me explained why later. If Laurie Daley is so dim as to put this flake out there in 2016 then he deserves to lose. Thurston will be one year older and wiser and cleverer and this bloke has already regressed more than a year towards kindergarten. Thurston will turn him into mince meat. Good.Squidward
Roar Rookie
If he didn't know that was being filmed I dare say he wasn't in a state to remember what he might have gotten up to in the the establishments he was drinking at earlier. For all he knows he wasn't on anything. But that's all he knows
pete bloor
Guest
I think given the nrl rap sheet Pearce would be able to challenge a life ban anyway
Not HJ
Guest
Absolute joke! Of course he was affected by drugs hence the quick departure overseas. I just can't get over the fact Daley stills wants this clown in the a NSW jersey this is getting boring....thanks Wayne you must be sick of working full time to keep you son in employment. Anyway Queensland will be happy once he makes the Origin side, he is clearly the maroons best player. Time to give the players a chance who clearly don't feel they are above the game and who don't constantly make fools out of the supporters.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
As Mitch Pearce would say "eeeeeeexactly"
Scrum
Guest
Two biggest issues are Pearce has had a previous incident & obviously learnt nothing. And that he was Captain of the Roosters. What sort of leadership is this- getting paralytic on a "bonding day" & then making a complete idiot of himself. Mind you there have been plenty of NRL players who have been caught exhibiting anti-social behaviour and shortly after getting promoted to leadership positions.
HarryT
Guest
I think it is more than likely that Lumby was involved with the 'counselling program' devised for Pearce 2 years ago when he made a similar classless lunge at the girl in the yellow dress. If a top player was accused of taking drugs I would have thought that the 'integrity unit' of the game would be knocking on the player's door doing tests. His hair will still be giving traces for another month by the way.
East Bound & Down
Guest
Typical response from Lumby , look for her to be nominated for Australian of the year 2017 .
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
If alcohol was the only drug involved. The liney lines story didn't surface until a few days later when Pearce had been whisked away to Thailand
up in the north
Roar Rookie
If I remember correctly Lumby said after the incident she would resign from her position with the NRL if he wasn't banned for life. Let's see who blinks first.
Bumsy
Roar Rookie
So the drugs had worn off by then?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Lamby is off her chops. If she can't see that the initial filming of kissing the girl was anything but Pearce forcing himself on her, and an obvious set-up, then she needs some mental help. Claiming that he wasn't on drugs is one thing, but stating that he didn't urinate is complete BS. Had that been the case he would have defended himself at the time, and not after a month of publicity and spin. Is this the best that the advisers at The Roosters could come up with? I was initially up for a month on the sidelines for Pearce, but now I think it should be increased to two months for speaking with a forked tongue and assuming we're all idiots.
HarryT
Guest
That is a very strong statement from Catherine Lumby. She would know all about the education programs as she would have designed them.