Mitchell Pearce and Daly Cherry-Evans have experienced nearly everything in their careers.
Winning premierships, representing their states and being the main man at their respective clubs.
They have also experienced huge criticism for their performances in the rep arena, especially at Origin level. They have also had a number of off-field issues throughout their NRL careers.
Having said that, they are two of the most highly-regarded halfbacks in the NRL.
2018 was a tough season for both number 7s for different reasons. Pearce moved to the Knights and struggled with injury though, when he was on the field, he excelled and is a big reason many are thinking the Knights might be able to rise into the eight next year.
DCE, meanwhile, made his return to the Origin arena and his performances seemed to suggest he may be ready to take that Queensland number 7 jersey.
This did not match his club season where Manly struggled badly and Cherry-Evans seemed to not be on the field in certain games.
For the year, Pearce’s stats were outstanding. He was able to conjure up 13 try assists and six line break assists.
Compare this with Cherry-Evans, who played in 24 games for Manly and was able to produce 15 try assists and 17 line break assists.
It is hard to gauge when comparing these two halfbacks because Pearce played nine fewer games.
Daly Cherry-Evans of Queensland scores a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The kicking game of both men are keys to their respective teams and allows their team to make ground, create tries and maintain pressure.
For the year, Pearce was able to manage a massive 401 kicking metres a game compared to 251 metres for DCE.
Pearce was also able to force nine line drop outs compared to DCE’s 12.
To me, this suggests Pearce has a much stronger kicking game. However, Pearce copped heavy criticism for a lack of kicking creativity in the Origin matches he played. He seemed to forever prefer a high bomb from 40 odd metres out that was always caught by a member of the Maroons back three.
Perhaps the greatest strengths of these two is their running game.
Both are able to take on the line with their speed and footwork. In 2018, Pearce was able to make four line breaks and average 58 metres a game, while DCE had six line breaks and averaged 64 metres a game.
These stats seem to cancel each other out and shows that they are both elite ball runners for their position.
Mitchell Pearce made an excellent start to life in Newcastle. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Defence has always been a strength of Mitchell Pearce. His Roosters sides led the league in defence a number of times throughout his career.
In his first season at the Knights, he was able to manage an impressive 82 per cent tackle efficiency and, with his time at the Roosters, he developed an ability to read the other team’s structures and plays.
Pearce is a very good defender for his position and ensures that he is not a target.
Cherry-Evans, for all the points Manly conceded, was able to average a fantastic 83 per cent tackle efficiency – placing him in very elite company.
There were games during the year where DCE made some very average reads in defence and it is hard to miss a tackle when you so badly misread the attack.
I am giving Pearce a very slight edge in the defence department.
So who would you rather? It is a very hard choice, both have reached great heights and shown themselves to be fantastic halfbacks – arguably in the top three.
Other times in their respective careers they faced heavy and sometimes unjustified criticism for the level of play their ability to turn up in the big games.
Pearce, in particular, has been hammered for his Origin performances and to a lesser extent his play in the Roosters finals games, which lead to the recruitment of Cooper Cronk.
DCE, on the other hand, copped plenty of fire after the 2014 Origin series where he failed to replace Cronk and the Blues were able to win their first series since 2005.
Cherry-Evans also had his performances for Manly questioned this year, with people saying he did not seem to care at times.
Was this just a sign of a man frustrated with a struggling team or perhaps more troubling a man knowing that his contract allows him a very high level of security now and going forward?
So, who would you rather have in your side?
Footy Fan
Guest
Both are dangerous runners, quick off the mark at the edges of the ruck. Both are quality defenders who rip in and hassle. But I see DCE as a pure five eighth, and Pearce as a genuine 7 - his steering of the team is very good and his passing game is too, which Is sometimes overlooked. His long kicking game is as good as anyone in the league, but short kicking about average for a half. In his best years, DCE's stats can be excellent for tackle breaks, line breaks and tries, but it comes at the cost of team stats - the centre, 2nd rower and winger on his side dip in these stats, negating things. Because his flair comes from being more selfish in running and he gets isolated and takes tackles. Both decent halves, but I'd always choose Pearce as a 7.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
DCE is probably more skillful and has a better all round game so I'll go him
John
Guest
Dce is a much proven performer for state and country in big games Dce beats Pearce hands down
Jacks
Roar Guru
To me I possibly lean slightly to Pearce cause his a bit easier to build around. I do wonder if there has been 2 guys so heavily effected in league history by a rival number 7. (Cronk)
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
Your kidding the Roosters traded from the doghouse to the penthouse.
John
Guest
That would be my choice.
Rob
Guest
Difficult decision. Personally for me it comes down to who’s in the team? DCE is a clutch player who is more creative but probably needs a good solid 2nd kick organising option. TB nailed it. Pearce has been a really good buy for the Knights with a huge boot, solid defence and playing with structures. DCE would be my pick as he can take a game by the scruff of the neck or come up with a match winning moment. Mitchell struggles to rise to the occasion and often goes missing in the last 10min IMO.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Pearce for me too, for many reasons. His genes alone mean he always gives 100%, unlike the other guy who may be more gifted, but with questionable consistency of application . The QLD selectors have long doubted DCE's application and his ability to fit into a tight team environment, and it seems Manly may have experienced similar. Pearce is tough and well respected by his team mates and opposition, and his long kicking game is superior top DCE's. Pearce too is better running at the line, though his options can let him down at times.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
DCE was amazing against the Broncos in the double header round this year. I was glad i was there to see it.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
What about DCE for Origin and Pearce for club
AE47
Roar Rookie
Paul , you nailed it
eels47
Roar Rookie
They are two very different players. Pearce is more of a controlling and directing half, whereas DCE is better when he can play what he sees. As The Barry said, DCE's best season in recent memory was when he had the steadying influence of Green beside him. It was the same with Foran. It is a hard one to choose though. At his best I would take DCE in a heartbeat, but for consistency it would be Pearce. But if I was to make a decision as to who I would want at Parra in 2019 if both were available I think I would go with Pearce, both for the consistency that we need, and given the price tag of the two.
Paul
Roar Guru
The issue you didn't discuss was, which of the two guys do players want to play with? Their skillsets are similar as you've pointed out, but DCE does not give the impression of a team player. I've no idea whether that's a correct assumption, but Pearce appears to be a player favourite, which means guys want him in the team and will play for him.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Both need a good organising 5/8 outside them. Mind you I wouldn't mind them in the one team. DCE is more dominant in my opinion, but Pearce is up there and I still think it is one of the few mistakes the Roosters made in letting him go.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I'd go along with that for the most part. I think DCE turns up more often than not, it just doesn't always go to plan for him and when it doesn't it turns to poop pretty quickly. With Pearce, when it isn't his day, he will still just take hit ups and get stuck in with defence. So even on a bad, day, which all players have, Pearce can still contribute.
Shane
Guest
Chris Sandow....
peeeko
Roar Guru
Pearce - for team harmony reasons. DCE definitely better to watch
Dan
Guest
Pearce any day of the week. More of a competitor and better clubman and leader than DCE by a mile. Also gives week in week out, while DCE only turns up when he feels like it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
DCE was outstanding at club level in 2017 playing alongside Blake Green but poor this year when he had a lot more responsibility to own pretty much all aspects of Manly’s attacking game. Some players thrive when they own the attack but it’s starting to look more and more like DCE is far more effective when he can be more selective about when he can enter a game and doesn’t have to be thinking about directing the team around the park the whole time, getting to the kick, etc Pearce was outstanding for the Knights and his attacking game was better than it had been for years. From memory they started to falter a little before he was injured but his injury really scuppered their chances. Over their careers I’d probably lean towards DCE but based on 2018 and coming into 2019 with how their teams are lining I’ll definitely go with Pearce to have the better season.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
DCE was a huge star in Manly's 2011 tile win and man of the match in their 2013 loss. Pearce has had a lot more chances to prove himself at the highest level than DCE but has rarely aimed up. That gives DCE a big edge. Pearce will be a huge success when he retires with his soon to be announced chain of dog grooming parlors.