Reformed Sydney Roosters bad boy Mitchell Pearce is now an NRL role model, according to former club star and mentor Craig Wing.
It’s a year to the day the Roosters were rocked by footage of the their star disgracing himself on Australia Day, resulting in a stripping of the co-captaincy and an eight-game ban.
However the man who helped Pearce come through the ranks believes the Roosters No.7 has learnt from his ordeal and is now the leader the club needs him to be.
“I took him under my wing from the get-go, and he was a bit of a larrikin back then. That’s what we love about Australians,” Wing told AAP.
“But I’ve caught up with him recently and he’s a man now. It really just gave him a perspective on what his rugby league career was, what it meant to him and the impact he had on others.
“Although he’s going to have the stigma of that incident live with him for the rest of his life, I think it’s really changed him as a man for the better.
“When I talk to him, he just seems so much more level-headed, a much better role model.”
The Roosters have reportedly moved to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s scandal, which began with a club-sanctioned boat cruise, by scheduling a training session on Friday.
Wing, who is adamant Pearce was unfairly dealt with for his Australia Day drama, said it was a smart move by coach Trent Robinson and his staff.
“I know Robbo, and everything he does is for a purpose. It’s a good idea,” he said.
After retiring from the game in 2009 to embark on a rugby union career in Japan, Wing returned to Australia and was on Wednesday announced as an NRL ambassador.
The former Australian and NSW State of Origin star said he was looking forward to helping educate players in making better decisions off the field, like Pearce’s Australia Day drama.
“I was listening to Trent Robinson talk the other day and he brought up a really good point – it’s not about saying to players that you can’t do this or can’t do that,” Wing said.
“Robbo said that the roles have now changed for the clubs and the management. It’s more about educating the players to be better men, so that they make better decisions.
“Instead of putting a boundary around them, it’s about educating them so that they no longer want to do certain kind of things that’s going to put them in harm’s way.”
no one in particular
Roar Guru
the behavioral clause that is standard in every NRL contract, thats where
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Majority of NRL players are fine, and can control themselves off field.There are some idiots which tarnish the code. Check with the situation overseas with big sports, there are plenty of examples of atrocities well publicised. LOL " in rugby league's DNA" only from a code warrior .You need to get out a bit Wazza or check overseas sporting news.
steve
Guest
Secretly filmed? Give me a break. He was too drunk and stupid to realize someone filming him with a mobile phone. There was nothing secret about it for him or his teammates in attendance.
BigJ
Roar Guru
They should be able to control themselves it called discipline!!!
BigJ
Roar Guru
correct!
Lovey
Guest
Yes, he was unfairly treated in that he was secretly filmed by a no-good. This sort of stuff happens, but he was an exceptional turd that night. He might be a "better man", but forget about ever being a role model for the game.
Wazza
Guest
Boys you should see what happens to players that play big sports. 24/7 joirno surveillance and majority of them are fine. Rugby League players get spotted out and about and they cant help themselves. Its in Rugby Leagues DNA
BigJ
Roar Guru
It's completely sad that everytime a footy player f*ucks up it ends up front page news, but people like Professor Alan Mackay-Sim is the 2017 Australian of the year for his work in medical research (now that's a role model) and doing great things for the country. Yet his acheivements will be forgettten by the public in a month, but a BS saga like the Fifta thing for backing a freind or Pearce humping a dog drags on for months and months, its pathetic. Here is a challenge for the roarers out there, name me the 1984-85-86 and 1998 premiers and then name me the same year's Australian of the year, bet you any money you cant do it what using google or wikipedia.
BigJ
Roar Guru
haha smart @rse!
Oingo Boingo
Guest
This is something I totally agree with you on. On a personal level I would be shattered if my son was more inspired by a sportsman than he was by myself. Dramatising every league players misdemeanours is journalism 101 these days.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I'm just winding you up big fella , each to their own .
BigJ
Roar Guru
Boredom, I have raise more hell and had more fun than any of the people i grew up with, who had to rely on alochol and or drugs to get through live and have a bit of fun. It always more fun when your sober.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
They'd all die of boredom from the sounds of that .
Albo
Guest
Only time will tell if Pearce has finally grown up or not . But I do think he was very harshly treated over last years Australia Day incident of clowning around at a private party. There but for the grace of God could have been another 100 footballers caught on IPhone cameras doing similar stupid things ! In the long run it may have been the best thing to happen to him for the longevity of his football career. Hopefully the whole incident has taught him a lesson about the evils of the drink and the evils of social media, and how both can have a massive impact on your football career. So best be totally aware and keep clear of both.
BigJ
Roar Guru
That's funny
BigJ
Roar Guru
If the young people out thier fellowed my example of no alcohol, no smoking, no drugs, training hard and clean diet, people would be better off, but I ain't no saint.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Well said, where in their contracts does it say they have to be role models????
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
A role model? For whom? Todd Carney?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Hard to accept this coming from a rooster about a rooster. Seems convenient and a little too soon. Media redemption occurs too quickly in modern society. Pearce has an appalling record and was embarrassed twelve months ago. To suggest that he is now a role model is ridiculous. A reformed character perhaps, but certainly not a role model. Wing sounds silly here.
Wazza
Guest
Notad dont bring every other sport into it. Rugby League players cant help themselves. For a tiny sport they have more than there fair share