Mitchell Pearce’s decision to step down as Newcastle captain won’t alter coach Adam O’Brien’s plans to create a leadership group at the NRL club.
O’Brien says he was already planning to shake up the club’s leadership before Pearce announced on Wednesday he would relinquish his captaincy in the wake of a text-messaging scandal.
A teary-eyed Pearce told media on Thursday he was focusing on being the “best man I can be both on and off the field” as he spoke publicly for the first time since his wedding to fiancee Kristen Scott was called off last month.
It’s unclear who will replace Pearce, with O’Brien revealing he was reviewing his team’s leadership structure even before the scandal involving his halfback emerged.
“I’ve had a model in mind for six months,” he said.
“I’ve been really fortunate in the career that I’ve had to work with two pretty special leadership groups for example at the Storm and the Roosters and this would be, I guess, a hybrid model of both of those clubs. The ones that I think are most effective for our club.
“Whether that be co-captains; whether it is a stand-alone captain, with some lieutenants; we’re not there yet.
“I’m not going to allow this situation to speed up a process that I feel is the most effective for us. That will take place over the next month.”
O’Brien was hopeful Pearce’s decision to step down from the captaincy would ease the pressure on the 31-year-old former NSW State of Origin star and was confident the halfback still had a significant role to play for the Knights in 2021.
“Mitchell Pearce’s best football is a huge asset to this club,” he said.
“That doesn’t go lightly with his teammates, they’ve expressed that, they want to see Mitchell out there playing his best football.
“He’s got some matters that he wants to address, first and foremost, with his close family and his partner.
“He needs to address those and he’s working hard every single day at doing that.”
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Ivan, Kevvie, Belly, probably Robbo minimum all in the same boat as the Knights in needing a new captain..who stands out there credentially ?
Albo
Roar Rookie
The real moral of this issue, and all other work / personal relationship interactions, is best reflected in the time honored old warning, " Never get your meat where you get your bread !" Seems many still only see the supermarket for their lifestyle !
Paul
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see what sort of model O'Brien develops and more importantly, how it works for the playing group. I'm also keen to see how Pearce fits into this scheme, what ever it will be, when he's actually playing. His role as a play maker won't change, so he'll still be expected to "lead" the team around the field, but how that will gel with the actual leader(s), could be an interesting dynamic to watch - hopefully for all the right reasons.
andrew
Roar Rookie
:stoked:
Big Daddy
Guest
How weird is this. I think that's my post. I've gone from a Big Daddy to Big Breasted.
Tony
Roar Guru
Suddenly Pearce has become the victim rather than an immature twat
Big breasted
Guest
:thumbup:
Nat
Roar Rookie
I'm with you mate. It'll never happen again until it happens again...
Nat
Roar Rookie
I'm not diminishing nor telling someone else how to feel. Also wasn't aware of the staffer's partner either. That NQ story would be funny if not messed up on many levels. 'Yes mate, we know it's sh.ite, your misses played up with one of the boys. Here take these prescription pills and calm down' Police and NRL 'yeah, that's fine...'.
Big Daddy
Guest
Nat, I'm a bit over the teary statements from these players when they are caught out. It doesn't change the fact he was caught and what he's done affects so many lives and relationships. They're always sorry when they are caught and this will happen again wether it's Pearce , an other player, another code . Even the coaches have caught the bug .
mushi
Roar Guru
I wonder if that kid in a beanie photo is going to be used for the next couple of decades. Maybe we could them to do a Nirvana style re enactment when they're 25?
mushi
Roar Guru
To be honest if you saw a bunch of raunchy texts between your partner and someone else, who likely you've had inklings something more was going on, it would be a hurdle pretty much the same as a physical interaction. Particularly in the lead up to your wedding. The team angle is from all account because the partner of the staffer was in the friendship group. The moral of the story here is he should have played for the Cowboys - they'd have just drugged the staff member's partner and let them get on with it.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I'm starting to think there's a lot more than 'flirty' text messaging going on here. One to derail a marriage, that's personal. To lose the captaincy and come out and make these public, teary statements would indicate something more went on.