Melbourne captain Cameron Smith believes the NRL club would be crazy not to join the chase for uncontracted halfback Mitchell Pearce to wear their vacant No.7 jumper.
Pearce is without a club next season after this week being granted a release from the Sydney Roosters following their recruitment of former Storm halfback Cooper Cronk.
Cronk ended 14 years at the Storm last month with a premiership, however Smith warmed to the idea of Pearce coming back the other way.
“Mitch is a wonderful player. I think he’s a wonderful halfback,” Smith said.
“He’s been a representative halfback for a long time now; he’s played 270-odd first-grade games. He’s a pretty special player.
“Only 27, why wouldn’t you want to be looking at him as a halfback for your team knowing now that he’s not going to be at the Roosters?”
The Storm have entered the off-season with promising talents Brodie Croft and Ryley Jacks as potential replacements to partner Kangaroos representative Cameron Munster in the halves.
However, Smith was wary of an inexperienced halves combination defending their crown.
“There’s obviously been a handful of clubs tossed up concerning (Pearce’s) future and them willing to look at him being on their books next year,” Smith said.
“If he was keen to come to Melbourne, I’d certainly put my hand up and say, yeah, we’d love to have you. We’ve got Brodie there but he’s played three first-grade games.
“We’ve got Cameron Munster playing six who is still relatively new to that position – he’s played one full season.
“We’ve got two young kids there playing in pretty critical positions for us. I think you’d be crazy not to have a look at the opportunity to get Mitchell Pearce’s services for next year.”
Tim
Guest
@bear54 - no idea.
Tim
Guest
For the sake of the Roosters GA, I hope they win the comp with Cronk. However, it will get very messy if it all goes wrong ! Is Politis going to use Trent Robinson as the scapegoat & move him on ? Cronk is a 2yr band aid solution that reminds me of the 80’s. If the Seagles sign him, then he has ability with DCE to go all the way & disarm the Roosters along the way. All the best Mitchell !
Peter Phelps
Guest
Think you are the genius there mate !
bear54
Cameron Smith is a genius. The Storm sign Pearce and continue doing the very good work they do thanks to Smith, Munster and Slater while convincing NSW Origin selectors Mitchell has finally turned the corner. They select him as the Blues playmaker anticipating his form and knowledge of Storm tactics will lead us to a series victory. Sadly Pearce is still the same player as always: Incompetent when the forwards are dominated combined with his patented brand of predictable choices and poorly executed last tackle options. Queensland win 2-1. Cameron Smith is a genius.
Tim
Guest
My bet is Manly. He has a house at Mosman, i think i read somewhere.
Tim
Guest
Yep, thats where i was heading ! ?
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Either Politis or you will be wrong it seems Tim. Have the Roosters let too many players go who they should have kept over the last decade? Manly have released so many players in my time as a fan and many have caused great anguish to the fans................. until a short time later when they are relieved. The Roosters would be rightful favorites next year I would say. If Pearce comes to Brookie then I will be happy as he is a better player than Green in my opinion
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I've heard that before many times. The Cows and Broncos were considered certainties to play again in the GF like they did in 2015 well into the season. Neither made it. No doubt someone will go back to back and if the Storm do it they will cement their legacy , if they don't they will join a long list of premiers who can't do it again the next year.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
No
Peter Phelps
Guest
On the salary question Storm movements Ins: Sam Kasiano (Bulldogs), Ryan Hoffman (Warriors), Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys), Sandor Earl (unattached), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Wests Tigers), Billy Walters (Brisbane Easts), Cooper Johns (Sea Eagles), Kayleb Milne (NZ rugby) Outs: Cooper Cronk (Roosters), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Jordan McLean (Cowboys), Robbie Rochow (Wests Tigers), Jesse Arthars (Rabbitohs), Slade Griffin (Knights), Mark Nicholls (Rabbitohs) Comparing those lists, you would have to guess that there is net money in the bank there. That said, I don't think that the Storm would throw mega bucks at Pearce, not their style.
Jimmmy
Guest
Obviously Nick doesn’t rate him as highly as you. By recruiting Cronk , the Roosters were always going to loose Pearce. Nick knew this but he also knows that Cronk is superior in almost all aspects of the game. If the Storm are smart (which they surely are ) they will stick with Croft. Pearce adds little for mine.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
It is not even a question would Pearce enhance the Storm's chances of going back to back, off course he would. In fact, the Storm are rated now as the 3rd top team in 2018 just behind the Cowboys and the Roosters and if Pearce were to catch a Tigerair south they would firm up to hot favs, it's that simple. Wanting him and will he make a difference is not the question, the question is where does his salary come from?
Peter Phelps
Guest
Agree and it might just be journalistic speculation however the lure of going back to back could just tempt them.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Storm have the best chance of breaking the back to back hoodoo with or without Pearce. Watch this space....
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I thought Keary had a better year than Pearce. I'd like to see the stats on tries and try assists for 2016. But both of them seemed to go missing at the pointy end of the season .
dayer
Guest
jealous of the storm are you
Duncan Smith
Guest
Maybe should have cut Keary instead of Pearce.
Tim
Guest
Duncan, no not neg, just realistic. Why fix whats not broken ? Guerra, SKD - yes. But Pearce, he does a lot more than what Keary can do - like defend, run & overall his passion
Duncan Smith
Guest
Pearce has had ten years at Easts, they are due for renewal. Cronk and Tedesco provide new energy. Cronk nothing outside Storm spine? He played 18 months without Slater. Geez, Tim, you're very negative. Will you be death-riding the Roosters now with Cronk at half?
Jimmmy
Guest
I agree Joe. If Pearce goes to the Storm a few other clubs will make a big play for Croft. He is the future. I reckon he will be better than Cronk long term as I think he has better running game.