Mitchell Pearce has emerged as a legitimate saviour for Brad Fittler, with Perth’s must-win Origin tailor-made for the Knight’s extensive experience as a big game patsy.
The coach will reportedly ring the changes after his Blues outfit failed in the Origin opener, with some experts claiming the series could be out of reach if he cannot secure victory in Game 2.
With the state’s sense of self-worth in jeopardy – and more importantly, his reputation – Fittler will need personnel who can take the pressure off his young side, and more notably, his neck.
This has seen the red-hot Pearce enter the conversation for a recall, with his claims irresistible after piloting Newcastle to six wins in a row on the back of approximately one billion Dally M points.
But of greater value, the Knights skipper provides priceless experience in sudden-death Origin as a ready-made scapegoat with 18 games as an interstate piñata.
Pearce’s capacity to wear the blame for every shortcoming in New South Wales from Origin to over-budget infrastructure will come in handy in Game 2, because, after all, it’s the Blues and there’s every chance they’ll stuff it.
According to whispers, Pearce has seemingly overtaken other options to wear the burden as Blues halfback, especially after Brett Kimmorley made himself unavailable.
Incumbents Nathan Cleary and Cody Walker appear to have faded in reckoning, with both lacking Pearce’s meme-power to be lumped with statewide blame.
This was despite Walker being unceremoniously hooked in the Suncorp opener and Cleary ably filling a brief as a tackling halfback who doesn’t register line breaks.
Whether rightly or wrongly, Pearce has built a reputation over the last decade at interstate level as the face of the Blues’ Great Depression.
After committing two crimes: 1. Taking part in seven series without a win, and 2. Being born in the same generation as incredible opponents, Pearce has seen countless numbers of his letterboxes filled will all manner of combination body waste and explosives, mainly for kicking a few grubbers dead.
The debate over the half’s standing in the selection landscape has bubbled for a decade, with most choosing to eliminate all nuance in favour of being staunchly polar at the cost of all rationality.
Some point out his average of one try assist every three games in Origin, and a forced dropout every six. His supporters will respond by saying he didn’t play last year’s series, so he’s due.
Rinse and repeat with a few classy canine gags, and you’ve got discourse from May-July.
For some perspective on Pearce’s standing, consider the opening scenes in the new Chernobyl miniseries.
Depicting a flaming nuclear reactor spewing radioactive bile and engulfing everyone within a 200km radius with panic and contamination, this scene is half as chaotic and unsafe as being south of the Tweed the day after an Origin loss involving Pearce, with a quarter of the handwringing and conspiracy theories.
With the halfback seemingly turning his life around after leaving the Sydney fishbowl and producing his best footy, some say he should be rewarded with his 24th shot at redemption.
In fact, Pearce was reportedly in the mix for a Game 1 recall until he was ruled out with a groin strain, an injury unrelated to similar omissions in the past as it was football-related.
But even with six man of the match awards in a row, history says he needs to win another five and captain the 1984 Invincibles before even being considered for a NSW recall, and even then that would only be for the Residents side, and only running drinks.
Which would then see him probably held chiefly responsible for water restrictions.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
...with some experts claiming the series could be out of reach if he cannot secure victory in Game 2.... Droll.
Sideline Eye
Guest
When Pearce had the "dog episode", the Brisbane "rag" gave it to him as they did over Origin time yet his only offence was being stupid & having some scumbag film it & pass it on to the press. However the same newspaper kept on making excuses for James Roberts & kept telling us Lodge had made reparations for his New York "episode". I suspect the Broncos helped out although they denied it.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"the Knight’s extensive experience as a big game patsy" Funny yet true. Still, a scapegoat won't save Fittler if he sabotages the side just to throw a patsy under the bus. "Patsy Pearce" didn't save Daley from the guillotine and it won't save "Freddie Flintstone" either.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
can't argue with that ..... good point ..... I only said Maloney cos he was the first name that came to mind hahahahaha
Beastie
Roar Rookie
If I was going with Pearce, I'd like to see a creative running player like Walker next to him. He'd be better for the run as well, and did set up some nice plays after he came back on the field.
Adam
Roar Guru
I see a potential post playing career. He can get paid to take the blame!
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I can't believe the latest mail that Cleary will stay as half with Pearce at 5/8 or vice versa. If you want Pearce then select him at half and give him a real 5/8 like Maloney. Otherwise it will be as you suggest, just selected as a scapegoat.
U
Roar Rookie
Pearce’s dogged determination shuts down all the doubters who are barking up the wrong tree. With him selected for game 2, the Blues will certainly get their paws on the win that they’ve been panting for
Dane Eldridge
Expert
He can be blamed for anything provided it fits under the salary cap
Paul
Roar Guru
is Pearce a multi faceted blame machine Dane? Can he, for example, be used by Bill Shorten for the last Federal election loss, or are his blame skills strictly confined to League?
Dane Eldridge
Expert
kk, poetic and profound as usual. Agree on Jimmy, and am already planning a dinner party just so I can casually use ‘Novocastrian Turton Road putsch’
kk
Roar Pro
You are humming Eldridge, exciting stuff. Rex Mossop introduced a term 'sixes and sevens' to Rugby League tautology to describe confusion created during a game. Seems apt for the Pearce promotion by the Novocastrian Turton Road putsch. Injury has already decided one place on the wing and may yet decide the 6 and the 7. I'm for Jimmy Maloney.
Nat
Roar Guru
I can't see it happening. When Freddy approaches Pearce in the sheds the 1st words out of Pearce's mouth are "sore groin" that speaks volumes for someone not even wanting to entertain the idea.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
That’s the rational view, BA. But this state ain’t rational
BA Sports
Roar Guru
How is Pearce a scapegoat for Fittler if Fittler picks him? The blame then falls on Fittler.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
It was a desolate time, Soapit. We needed Greg Bird at 5/8th, for heavens sake
Dane Eldridge
Expert
True Harvey. Hard to believe on these numbers that Pearce is 300% better than Cliffy
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Thanks DP and Paul. And definitely agree. Pearce can be blamed at any time, including prior to selection, or even birth
soapit
Roar Guru
Have to look at what options were around at the time I suppose. Pierce probably deserves to have played quite a few but 18 is probably more than his talent deserves. it is a bit of an indictment on the other NSW haves of the time to not have put more pressure on
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
It's ridiculous to me that Pearce has played 18 largely unsuccessful games and yet a player of yesteyear like Cliff Lyons only played 6. At the height of his game and combination with Steve Menzies, there was arguably few more deserving of playing for NSW.