Mitchell Pearce knows all about being thrown into the deep end and developing a stiff upper lip as a result.
Pearce on Monday began the second part of his storied NRL career as he began pre-season training with Newcastle.
The NSW State of Origin playmaker revealed that following his first meeting with coach Nathan Brown, he felt something special brewing in the Hunter and called his dad – Balmain great Wayne – straight away to tell him he wanted to be a part of it.
After copping three straight wooden spoons, some raised their eyebrows at Pearce’s decision to join the competition’s battlers, following his departure from the Sydney Roosters.
But he immediately felt an affinity with the place.
Such is the state of their roster, a desperate Brown was forced to blood a crop of young talent well before they’re ready over the last several seasons.
And it’s a story Pearce knows all too well.
He was thrown into first grade as a 17-year-old before making his State of Origin debut a year later.
But he is now at a stage in his career where he wants to be a leader to those carrying a heavy burden at a tender age.
“They’ve come in and had to learn the hard way,” Pearce said.
“You naturally build a resilience by doing that.
“The first thing I noticed when coming into training today was there is a mad buzz around.
“It’s a similar feeling to what I had at the Roosters. There’s a family feeling here. And it seems like there’s no fear.
“It’s a recipe for success.”
So who better than Pearce to help lead around the likes of Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, 21, Brock Lamb, 20, and Sione Mata’utia, 21.
Pearce also laughed off Paul Gallen’s fears that his move up the M1 will damage his chances of retaining his NSW jumper.
After Pearce turned down Cronulla and Manly in favour of signing with the three-time current wooden spooners, Sharks skipper Gallen questioned whether his former Origin teammate’s game — and by extension his NSW chances – would take a hit.
Asked if his Origin prospects had entered his thinking, Pearce said he was primarily motivated by his own well-being but could get back to the pinnacle of rugby league if he got the best out of himself.
“The main focus of my decision was firstly happiness, a new opportunity and a new challenge,” Pearce said.
“I wanted to come here and be a part of this club and what they’re building.
“All that other stuff takes care of itself, if you’re being the best person you can be every day.”
Rob
Guest
I believe it's a good move for Mitchell Pearce. He'll be out to prove a point without the expectation and pressure associated with the Roosters suits. Cronk won't be teaching him anything new at this stage of his career. For the Knights it's a very good buy, as he brings plenty of experience and solid defence. Good luck to him and the Knights.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Meal ticket might be a little harsh. He's dad worked in the mines for a long time I believe. I'd say he just doesn't really give a lot of thought to the teams success and simply wants his son to be as well off as can be. Tbh I don't blame Ponga for taking the money. It's too much to say no to.
Larry1950
Guest
Word was that Dad is the driver of everything there, slagged off at the Cowboys & reckoned they did nothing for the kid after he signed for the Knights. Meal ticket perhaps?
Larry1950
Guest
Headline should include "at the moment". Interesting conversation when he spoke to Brock Lamb about staying at the Knights, along the lines of "be a man and don't go being a sook because the club brought someone in who they thought would be better in your position". Hope Pearce goes well but it's starting to play out like the 2015 Hayne "I have a dream" reporting with daily updates on Mitchell's progress, do we need to have that! I believe Sam Thaiday will be starting a daily blog to update fans on his progress through his final season at the Broncos (or Dolphins?).
mushi
Guest
So what your saying is people that don't like something are likely to continue to not like it so therefore there's no point in discussing anything?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Gallen will be certainly have a decent media profile, his really good at it.... we actually get somebody saying what they think and why they think that, rather than the generic rubbish you get from players. Brown's comment was hardly savage.... he looked silly in the end. Those that don't Gallen though will say argue the opposite... just like those that don't like Cam Smith think his a cheat and single-handedly ruined rugby league.
Mushi
Guest
1. Maloney wasn't the half back 2. It was a money thing, RTS hadn't declined his deal yet when they tabled their first offer 3. Maloney is a good guy but a bit of a class clown that makes coaches lives difficult (noticed he's never exactly accumulated long service leave)
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I think his father put a lot of effort into pushing him towards the money. I think I remember a story somewhere that he didn't even want him playing league because golf had more money in it.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I don't understand how Gallen ended up in media at all really. He is a noted whinger on the field, a terrible captain. Good at trucking it up all day, but as you say, the minute something doesn't go his way, he blows up delux, and spits his dummy.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Ponga's manager needs to be taken to task for him moving... he could have earned good money, learned the trade under one of the best players to EVER play the game, and done something at a later date if he wanted to move from the 'Ville. He is young, inexperienced, on a LONG term contract, for big money, with big expectations now. Going to be tough for him I think. He looks very good, but has a lot of learning to do. I hope his body holds up.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The bigger question mark really is Ponga. Didn't look ready for the NRL level last year and I wonder how he'll cope with the pressure of being a centrepiece in an organisation that's desperate for some success. If I were Brown I'd strongly consider whether or not he's ready to be thrown in at 1 or if he needs a season or two on the wing first, but then of course you're paying a massive contract not just for a rookie, but for a rookie on the wing. Luckily the Pearce signing should take a lot of pressure off him for now.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Cronk has been fantastic throughout his career largely because of his single minded focus on his game. Now he has a new club, with new partnerships, he is clearly distracted and he is the wrong end of 30. Is it just me that thinks the Roosters won't see a big uptick from Pearce ? I still believe that Cronk's move to the chucks is more about his super fund than about securing another Dally M
Peter
Guest
Paul Galllen - in another life, he would be a brickie.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I'm just happy I got to read Gallens initial comments get savaged by Brown, and then read Gallens child like retort. Nice piece of entertainment. God I hope Gallen doesn't get a large media profile. Not because I hate him, which I don't. It's because whenever anybody says anything in reply to an opinion or a viewpoint of his he carries on like the mean girl on the playground. Or maybe I don't know what I want because that sounds amusing.
Albo
Guest
Just needs Cronk to do his ACL or pec in round 2 and the Chooks will be flying high, right back to 2016 form !
souvalis
Guest
It was a push..
BlakeW
Guest
Pearce wasn't punted. He bailed out.
Big Daddy
Guest
Everyone is touting Pearce as the messiah but how hard will it be with a brand new team which could take a season to gel an then there's Nathan Brown who I've never rated but people will say he was successful in England but that's like coaching second grade. Only time will tell. With the roster they have bought there will be lots of pressure not only on Pearce but more so Brown.
souvalis
Guest
Two years ago Politis let go of Jimmy Maloney,he went on to take the Sharkies to their first ever premiership..this time he’s let go of Mitchell Pearce..I’m confused as to why the halfbacks been punted yet the slack underperforming front row has been kept with a frail,injury prone backrow...Sharkies lucked out 2 years ago and Brownie has done just as well this time round..
Oingo Boingo
Guest
He,ll play as well as he has at the Roosters , which will be good enough to see the knights move up the ladder considerably. This might be the missing something , that sees him reach that extra level that seems to have eluded him in the past . I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the knights , so I hope it works out well for all concerned.