Mitchell Pearce has cemented himself firmly in the frame for a NSW recall following his heroics in the Sydney Roosters’ golden point Anzac Day win over St George Illawarra.
Pearce has been pilloried for his previous performances under pressure – having missed his previous 18 field goal attempts stretching back to 2011 and featuring in six losing Origin series.
However, he stood up when it matter most against the Dragons, twice coming up with big plays in the clutch.
First the star No.7 scored the Roosters’ go-ahead try in the 66th minute before cooly nailing the winning one-pointer in front of more than 40,000 fans at Allianz Stadium.
With the Roosters flying in third spot with six wins from eight games, Pearce is already putting pressure on incumbents James Maloney and Matt Moylan.
But his performance under pressure in a big encounter would have made NSW coach Laurie Daley sit up and take notice.
Having not kicked a field goal for six years, Pearce had set about working on his craft in the off-season and was rewarded for his hours of extras on the training paddock.
“It’s our job as a half and I work on all parts of my game,” Pearce said.
“But it’s an area that I’ve been finish training sessions with, just grabbing Lukey (Keary) and try to do as many field goals as we can.
“You do it to ice those moments and it felt nice.”
Pearce described it as one of the sweetest moments of his career as the ball sailed over the black dot, toppling the Dragons from the top of the ladder in the process.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said while Pearce’s field goal was special, he deserved special praise for his try when he ran a neat line off Isaac Liu to barge over.
Instead of sitting back and trying to direct play, he took on the line, bobbled it for a second before regaining to plant it over the line.
Pearce said he at first didn’t know if he had scored and described the win as a potential turning point in their season.
“The ball went down and when it popped out I didn’t know if I got it down or not,” he said.
“I cleary got it down and it was good to get us back in front.
“It was pretty disappointing for them to get that try with two minutes to go but luckily we dug our way out again.
“With the big games at the end of the year, the finals and all that, they’re the games you want to be winning. It was a good test for us early in the year.”
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Pearce should be allowed no where near a NSW jumper ever again. So many years he's been a gun at club level then gone missing for NSW. He's had so many chances now others must be given the chance to step up. Laurie needs to think differently. At the moment this would be my NSW team: 1. Tedesco 2. Tommy Turbo 3. Jarryd Hayne 4. BJ Leilua 5. Jack Bird 6. Jimmy Maloney 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Aaron Woods 9. Nathan Peats 10. Andrew Fifita. 11. Tyson Frizzell 12. Paul Vaughan 13. Jake Turbo 14. Cody Walker 15. Ryan James 16. Wade Graham 17. David Klemmer 18. Trent Merrin (Needs a massive form reversal) 19. Bryce Cartwright (see Trent Merrin)
bear54
If Pearce is selected for NSW I'm not watching. We'll be screwed. His last tackles options are historically and consistently awful. Keary has been in his team for only 8 games and he already makes much better choices on the final tackle. When they won in 2013 the Tricolours most dynamic half on the sixth was always Maloney. It should be remembered he very nearly botched the try under the posts on Anzac Day so once again a Roosters win with Pearce should be considered more of a coincidence involving him than because of him. Pearce has never got NSW home in a close match and he's already had plenty of opportunities. He's a competent half when he's behind a dominant forward pack. In origin the forwards cancel themselves out so its up to the halves to be creative, decisive and accurate. Mitchell Pearce is none. I'll take Adam Reynolds or James Maloney at half thanks.
spruce moose
Guest
Pot calling kettle black champ. You didn't answer two questions of mine in a post above. Come on, why would pearce, with the ball in the in-goal, slide in feet first? I'll be looking forward to the answer.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
Why do I feel like I read this article every year?
Succhi
Guest
Keep picking the same and expecting a different result! NSW just doesn't have a stand out half or hooker.
Cee
Guest
Despite how bad he's been in his origin career he'll still get the spot. Every QLD supporter is praying he doesn't get drunk again and dry hump a dog.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Avoidance 101
catcat
Roar Rookie
great analysis....also shown a lack of thinking off the field too
spruce moose
Guest
Was the missed knock on a careless and deliberate attempt to injure a player?
Oingo Boingo
Guest
And your opinion on the most blatant missed knock on I. History?
Oingo Boingo
Guest
It was .
Charles NSW
Guest
Mitchell Pearce has taken a long time to become a good club halfback. Through years of practice he knows the fundamentals that he needs to do in doing the job for his club The problem he is not a thinker instead going only on what he has been taught through the years In SOO he is up against two of the best thinkers in the game in Thurston and Cronk They will create the holes needed or find alternatives that is why they are hard to go against At least Maloney and Reynolds do think more about what needs to be done Pearce is getting a lot of push from Sterling as he is now SOO advisor
Old School
Roar Rookie
That was bizarre, surely a penalty minimum should have been awarded. The ball was out before he even slid.
StAdam
Guest
Agreeing with the Spruce Moose - the ball was well and truly half a metre over the line before Pearce had even BEGUN to slide feet first into Dugan. If Dugan hadn't jumped out of the way to avoid it (which he should not have to be doing when picking up the ball and running back for a 20m restart) it could have been a very serious injury. You see them all the time in soccer. If Pearce is selected in this years NSW side QLD will win it in a whitewash...
spruce moose
Guest
You are joking aren’t you? Not slide in with his feet. Enlighten us Oingo – what was the result Pearce was expecting to attain, running into the in goal, feet first? Can’t score tries with your feet, and what point would kicking the ball over his own in goal accomplish? Heath Shaw should have directed his sledge towards you, for your question was truly worth being placed in such a category.
rl
Guest
That's it in a nutshell. As a Qld fan, I'm begging NSW to pick him
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Finally wins with a field goal against a team that had no halves. NSW hooker or nothing
Oingo Boingo
Guest
What was he supposed to do ?
Steve Johnston
Guest
Hes a solid half back but solid just wont cut it against JT and co. Loz....dont do it mate
HarryT
Guest
Seems to me that Pearce has one good game a year, always just before SOO. The rest of the year he is ok but not great.