There is speculation the Knights are aiming to swap Mitchell Pearce for Mitchell Moses at Parramatta or that the club will let him return to the Sydney Roosters. Neither are going to happen.
The Roosters shunned Pearce for Cooper Cronk and won back-to-back premierships but now, without him, they’ll struggle.
Some people have even said Pearce shouldn’t be Newcastle’s skipper but I’m perfectly fine with him as captain but Mitchell Barnett will be a shoe-in to take that spot after Pearce retires. I wouldn’t even say no to them sharing the role, as Barnett shows strong leadership both on and off the field.
I would be open to Pearce signing for three years after 2021 – two locked in, with the third being optional so he can either play, retire or finish off with a season in England.
However, he should take a pay cut.
Knights supporters should also be proud of the fact we made the eight in 2020. Yes, our exit was a nightmare none of us will be forgetting any time soon but for many Newcastle players, it was their first experience of playing finals footy and now they have a taste of what it’s like.
This is progress that can be built on towards our next premiership and given Pearce has got plenty left in him, his goal should still be to captain the Newcastle Knights to a premiership before he retires.
We have recruited well for next season. We do need an experienced five-eighth to take some pressure off Pearce and Kalyn Ponga but with Jayden Brailey back and fresh for next season, providing we have a full-strength spine for the majority of the year, we could be one of the most dangerous teams in the competition.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Logically no other club is in a position to offer Pearce what he does not already have so I agree that he will go nowhere and is a required player at the Knights. I have no idea what his current contract is worth so won't comment on whether it is too much or too little. As far as I can see moving to another club is all downside for Pearce but I did hear a strong rumour that the North Sydney Bears are in the market for him hahahahahaha
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I'd money ball the half and go after Drew Hutchison from the Roosters who plays a bit like Blake Green. Thought he went pretty well in the few end of season games he got a run in. He plays 7 and Watson plays the running 6. The Knights outside backs are horrendous when Best isn't there. Pearce for Nofaoaluma..win / win.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
True, but if they could have filled the gap without moving Mann from 5/8 where he was one of the best each week I think they would have done better.
Albo
Roar Rookie
It was more the loss of Brayley, then McCullough, I think ! It impacted their whole pack's early momentum.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Plenty of adrenaline . Little nous !
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Didn't he get us across the line in game three last season?
Nat
Roar Rookie
It's a tough situation. As you say, his contract is inhibiting someone but that's the point of the cap. How many more years can you offer a 32yo on that money? However, as of Nov 1, he's free to look around. How quickly do they make an offer if he starts the season on fire to keep the wolves from the door when Option B is a fair way down the pecking order?
Nat
Roar Rookie
It wobbled ike an arrow through my heart. I was giving it to Fergo all game (from 1000 miles away in 2nd tier) and when he's caught it and stayed in... fair to say my new 'friends' let me know about it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pearce is still contracted so even if they do release him they’ll be paying a chunk of his contract There’s also not many quality halves on the market for 2021, although there is for 2022 They probably are better keeping Pearce on the books this year. Playing for a contract he’ll probably have a big season and then they’ll have a mill to spend - give or take - for 2022
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was wondering if that would get brought up... :laughing: I’m not sure his wobbly old lobbed left to right pass counts as a match winning play, particularly with the work Fergo and Teddy had to do afterwards...
Phil
Roar Rookie
I stand corrected.
Nat
Roar Rookie
As I do, I run to that stats to support my position, LBA's 10 - one less than Darius. Oops... :laughing: So put the recruitment hat on. The option is to release Pearce, upgrade Hoy, Crossland and Best leaves $650k - $700k, still a fair chunk of change. Who is the half you sign that gets them to a better position than this year? What's the fallout if they don't make finals in 2021? On the cap reduction, are the players who signed these big contracts pre COVID just accepting an equal % decrease in the wage going forward?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
My understanding Pearce's base is about 650, with a heap of incentives - Newcastle win x number of games he gets a bonus, top 8 another bonus, top 4, make GF, etc
Nat
Roar Rookie
Last year was too many... :stoked:
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Some people have even said Pearce shouldn’t be Newcastle’s skipper but I’m perfectly fine with him as captain but Mitchell Barnett will be a shoe-in to take that spot after Pearce retires. I wouldn’t even say no to them sharing the role, as Barnett shows strong leadership both on and off the field. That is a HOT take....
Nat
Roar Rookie
:thumbdown: :thumbdown: Get away...
Rob
Guest
3) He did win a comp with the Chooks Phil.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I’d feel for him more if NSW were constantly getting steamrolled in that period but more often that not he was playing from as good a platform as the Qld halves I wouldn’t expect him to put on as many match winning plays as the Qld legends but surely one isn’t too much to ask? :silly:
The Barry
Roar Guru
It doesn’t sound silly, I get where you’re coming from and you make a good point, But I don’t think we need to lower expectations, I think that list shows clubs need to do better. The value of contracts isn’t rising that quickly 2020 salary cap is 9.8M. Obviously 1M is 10% of the cap for 3% of the squad. I know league isn’t played this way but from a numbers perspective someone on 1M needs to have 3x the output (however that’s measured) of the average squad member just to break even Of those players you’ve listed I’d give Tedesco, Cronk, JT13 and maybe DCE a pass. Signing Hunt and Taylor to 1M deals was daft and desperate. Milford wasn’t necessarily a horrid call at the time but has worked out that way I don’t think Pearce was a terrible call for the Knights at the time either but they haven’t got value for money from him and if they lose players - either new recruits or current squad members - because they’ve got money tied up with him it’s gonna get worse
Nat
Roar Rookie
That's fair. I get it's his job, I can't argue, I feel he was a square peg in that team.