For more than a year now, we’ve been reading stories that Mitchell Pearce is leaving Newcastle.
If memory serves – and I’m happy to be corrected if someone remembers an earlier rumour – it began last October, when word was that the Knights and Eels were investigating the possibility of a player swap between Pearce and his Parramatta counterpart, Mitchell Moses.
Then, days later, the story became that he was heading back to the club where he won the 2013 grand final and played the bulk of his career, the Roosters.
A family-fairytale finale for Pearce’s career was then apparently on the cards, with chat that he was set to move to the Wests Tigers, where his father had been the inaugural coach and is a legend of the Balmain side of the joint venture.
Before the 2021 season was finished Pearce had also been linked with the Bulldogs and Raiders, despite the fact he had signed an extension to stay in the Hunter for 2022 in March.
The point is, the latest rumour – that Newcastle’s veteran halfback is on his way to the Super League on a three-year deal – should be believed when Pearce disembarks at Charles de Gaulle with a beret on his head and a Catalans jersey on his shoulders.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
However, if we have seen the last of the Pearce in the NRL, the issue the Knights face is not who will inherit the jersey Andrew Johns made so famous (and kinda-sorta cursed as a result).
Rather, as I see it, Newcastle are going to need to find a long-term fullback.
The issue of the Knights’ long-term No.7 was addressed by the club last November when Jake Clifford signed on. What’s more, his efforts since arriving in town midway through this season should give Phil Gardner and Co. a warm and fuzzy feeling that they made the right call, with the 23-year-old showing plenty of promise.
He’s not yet the finished product, but Clifford is – at the very least – a first-grade halfback and could well be one of the best in the competition when he puts it all together. Talk of going out and spending big money on, say, Luke Brooks would seem unnecessary.
That means the Knights have a gap to fill at five-eighth, although there are no shortage of options.
Recognised halves on the books include Phoenix Crossland – who, just quietly, I saw at the beach the other day and can confirm has been in the gym! – new signing Adam Clune, exciting youngster Simi Sasagi, and Kurt Mann, who is admittedly a bit of everything but won the club’s 2020 Gladiator of the Year award playing primarily at six.
But let’s be honest, there’s really only one option.
It’s time for Kalyn Ponga to make his long-mooted move to five-eighth – if for no other reason than to find out once and for all whether it’s going to work.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
When conversation turns to the issue of KP playing in the halves, people are quick to point out that the Knights tried it before, in 2019, and it didn’t work.
But that’s not really what happened.
His move into the halves lasted less than three games, Ponga shifting to the back midway through the club’s Round 3 loss to the Raiders.
As for why he didn’t last longer, it wasn’t that he was all at sea in the new position – the Knights simply didn’t have a fullback.
Connor Watson started the season at No.1 but he was ruled out through injury after two matches. This saw Mann named as custodian against Canberra but moved midway through the match, as it became clear he’s not made for that position.
So to say KP at six didn’t work is disingenuous – he played less than three full games in the position! What’s more, he played five-eighth for the Junior Kangaroos at the end of the same year and was just about the best player on the field in the Australia A side’s thrashing of France.
As a result, I often wonder how things would have shaken out for Newcastle these past few years if Nick Meaney had never gone to the Bulldogs.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Knights’ 2016 NYC Player of the Year and 2017 NSW Cup Player of the Year, Meaney agreed to move to Belmore midway through 2018 as it became apparent he was not going to displace Ponga as the red-and-blue fullback.
Had he stuck around for one more season though, he may well have been the catalyst for Ponga making a successful transition into the halves. While not in the elite category, Meaney has proven himself a fullback of first-grade calibre.
That’s what was missing in 2019 – not a superstar at the back, just a bloke who could play the position well enough that there was no need to panic and abandon the experiment after two losses.
And so we come to the crux of the issue: do the Knights have a first-grade fullback this time around?
Word is that Bailey Hodgson is a gun. The nephew of Raiders hooker Josh debuted for Castleford Tigers in the English Super League just ten days after his 18th birthday and, having only recently turned 19, it’s believed the Knights signed him with the long-term view of making him the club’s fullback.
Of course, something similar was said of Tex Hoy, the local lad the club signed at just 14 years of age and describe on their website as being “a special talent”.
But after an underwhelming 2021, playing eight games but being unsighted since Round 14, Hoy is unsigned for next season and may well be on the rugby league scrapheap at just 21.
That said, if Pearce departs and the club decides that Ponga to the halves is the way to go, Hoy may be the beneficiary as the Knights look to add depth to their fullback stocks and at this late stage of the year, the cupboard is pretty bare.
But then that’s true of virtually all spine positions, where the best players in the game tend to ply their trade and therefore are locked away on multi-year deals long before we’re approaching November.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Which is why I’m still mildly sceptical of the Knights letting Pearce go at all. Sure they’d save a fair whack of coin – he may no longer be on $1 million a season but players of Pearce’s stature are well remunerated – but what would the club spend it on?
It’s like selling your mansion so that you can have a fat bank balance while living in a trailer.
And maybe that’s the plan: use the Pearce money to top up a bunch of players’ salaries in 2022 and use the savings to go after a big name for the 2023 season.
But they’d need to announce that big ’23 signing soon because, despite only managing losses in the two finals games they’ve played with him in the side, the big thing Mitchell Pearce brought to Newcastle was a shift in expectations.
No more wooden spoons. No more years-long rebuilds. No more write-off seasons.
Pearce may be at the end of his career and showing as much physically but, as evidenced by the team’s win-loss ratio with him in the side, his leadership and experience are still vital at the Knights.
You’d think 2022 will be his swansong but the plan was for Clifford to have a full 12 months learning alongside Pearce, which would give Hodgson another year of development as well.
Bringing that plan forward should only be entertained if it means the team doesn’t go backwards.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Update: It IS a case of... case of Pearce off, Joe. Knights confirm Pearce wants immediate release Newcastle have confirmed veteran playmaker Mitchell Pearce has requested an immediate release from the final year of his NRL contract. Pearce met with Knights management on Wednesday where the request was outlined and officially lodged for the club to consider his release. https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/10/27/knights-confirm-pearce-wants-immediate-release/
Joe Frost
Editor
See what you mean, but pretty sure his whole family are still in Sydney, as well as probably most of his oldest mates, and he wouldn't have seen any of them in the flesh since June at the latest. Plus, there's technically still no travel between Sydney and the regions. Makes sense that, when the season ended, he made a call to just go hang out in Sydney for a few weeks.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The more you read into this the more you wonder if Pearce wants out or the Knights wanting to unload him . Doing his training in Sydney and has to go to Newcastle to discuss his contract sounds a bit odd . The board reportedly have no objection to him going and the coaching staff are at odds with that . Or is it his manager pulling the strings .
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
1. I have never claimed that loyalty is unique to the Rabbitohs. 2. As for "no interest in loyalty when it comes to recruitment" Tony I gave you a concrete example of 10 South Sydney juniors who have had their contracts extended recently and of an additional 3 players who either debuted in the NRL for Souths or had a handful of games in the NRL before coming to the Rabbitohs, all 3 have been re-signed. Cody Walker will soon be added to that number and Adam Reynolds would have been the 11th South Sydney junior re-signed for next season if he could accept a one-year extension. John Sutton had to accept the same short-term deals at the end of his career and he was happy to do so to stay at the Rabbitohs. 3. As for "the treatment they’ve given George Piggins" George deserved better. If not for George Piggins Souths would not be in the competition today. Period. It is equally true to say that if not for Russell Crowe and Holmes à Court (now James Packer) Souths would be broke and out of the competition. They also would have struggled to get the money and TPAs to cover their NRL salary cap commitments. As things stand, I believe Rusty and George have buried the hatchet and although they are still far from mates George Piggins and Souths have healed the breach. Any more mud you want to throw or trouble you want to stir up, Tony?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Gagai was a crap centre as well, even Benny said he wasn't a centre but then he came good.
Tony
Roar Guru
Well you're the one that brought up loyalty, as if it's unique to Souths. But like every other club, Souths have no interest in loyalty when it comes to recruitment. And just look at the treatment they've given George Piggins. :happy:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Loyalty is a two-way street. Reynolds could have accepted successive one-year extensions. Souths had to consider the wealth of developed and developing local talent that they had to re-sign and extend contracts to keep. That also includes marquee players like Cody Walker (currently negotiating a big increase in pay) and Latrell who will be in a similar position at the end of next season having signed until the end of 2023. There are commercial realities to consider. Yes, it seems hypocritical and inconsistent of Souths given the number of multi-season contract extensions being signed but CEO Blake Solly was concerned, I believe unnecessarily, that Reynolds was prone to injury and likely to end up having to be medically retired like Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis. To be fair Tony, you can't have it both ways. You and many others here on the ROAR like to play the medical retirement card against Bunnies supporters after what happened to Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis and when Souths try to do the right thing to avoid this potentiality you accuse Rabbitohs management of being heartless or disloyal. Pick one. You can't play both arguments at the same time. In truth, medical retirements where they are genuine, should be covered by the NRL and not by clubs. Clubs should not have to lose that part of their salary cap to cover a liability that should be the responsibility of the organisation that registers players and administers the game.
Tony
Roar Guru
Loyalty would see Reynolds still in a Souths jersey
Mr T
Roar Rookie
Pearce is no doubt on his last legs, but I wouldn’t be releasing him unless they can find a replacement. He is still the best half at the club and steers the team around. What is the knights winning percentage when Pearce isn’t there? You can’t honestly go into next season with Clifford at 7 and Mann at 6. That’s not a halves pairing that will win more games than lose. Connor Watson is gone and I don’t see the appeal in moving Ponga to 6. I have no doubt ponga can succeed at 6, but you shouldn’t be weakening 1 position to strengthen another. His best position is fullback. I’d take brooks unless someone better comes along which I don’t think is likely. Experts have been saying for a while now that brooks needs a new club/fresh start. I’m not saying he’ll steer the club to a premiership but i think it’s their best option. Tigers however, have confirmed they wont release Brooks, so it will be interesting how it plays out.
Paul
Roar Guru
Just want to throw it out there, but why can't Pearce play as a genuine number 14? He's got the skills to play in 9, 6 & 7 but perhaps doesn't have the fitness to go for a full 80 minutes - so why force him to try? I'd love to have him at the Dragons in that role. What he could be teaching the young fellas off the field is enormous and on the field he can still contribute for 50 or 60 minutes a game. Might not be bang for buck, but the alternative, ie moving him on, seems pretty ordinary, IMO.
Danielle Smith
Editor
We are not going to be a title threat for a while, so I think we need take the next few years for our backline to gain some much needed experienced and have their postitons cemented. We seem pretty sorted up the front, it’s just the backs we need to have organised. I would like to see Ponga stay at one, Gagai and Best in the centres, have Clifford and Crossland form a strong partnership in the halves that will last many seasons, and give Pearce a few croissants for the plane and send him on his way. And I heard that Joey is joining the Knights coaching staff. That might help the halves a little bit………..
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"What time do you call this? Did you sleep in." I do lead a life outside of posting on the ROAR, Tony. Don't assume that the only time I first post during the day is when I wake up. I am quite capable of juggling my busy schedule around the cathartic release of venting, ranting, and engaging in banter here on the ROAR. "I guess Johnston and Reynolds didn’t qualify for the the Souths loyalty program?" My very long and detailed reply to Nat over a similar accusation more than answers that question, Tony. https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/10/26/cornerstone-of-our-club-koloamatangi-hess-sign-new-nrl-deals/?comment_id=8214464#comments-section
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Beau Champion, local junior but GI came on the market and see ya bud :thumbup:
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The fact they signed him until the end of 2023 despite his on and off field mediocrity will always ring alarm bells . Make a decision . Trouble is not much out their to replace him . Maybe he's had another meltdown. Who knows .
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think it has to be Crossland , unless there is another hidden talent waiting in the wings ? You just can't trust Mann with his massive mistake rates, and Hoy needs a couple more seasons in the reggies to be any future chance.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I’m with you Andrew. I think the Knights biggest problem is to get Ponga interested in playing a full 80 minutes whether from fullback or any other position. He is in and out of games more often than the Broncos trainer ! He is either not fit or not interested in an 80 minute effort. At his best he’s the match winner, but too often he goes missing. I think fullback is probably his right position, but moving him to 6 might switch him onto being a full time player with the more concentration on front line defence and a ball playing role ? Either way , the Knights have a hard working, but limited 9 in Brayley, and Ponga as their key spine personnel. They still need two more players to prove they have a full spine to make any impact on the competition !
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
If Ponga is in my side, i want him at fullback so he has the freedom to slot into the backline where he see's the opportunity. That is far more dangerous than planting him on one side of the ruck as most halves are these days. I agree, he should be getting more ball, but as a senior player and an elite player, he can command the ball and over rule a half. He doesn't have to stand outside Kurt Mann or Jake Clifford. Go get the ball. Gutherson does it. He has half the talent Ponga has, but seeks out the opportunity and doesn't sit back which can be a weakness in Ponga. And his hooker in Mahoney knows and trusts to give him the ball. So there is no reason Brailey couldn't do the same. Being a fullback gives you that freedom to be first, second or third receiver. That it hasn't been crisp for the Knights to date, speaks more to them needing to be smarter and play better. Yes the 5/8 role has changed. In yester year, the 5/8 was the guy backing up through the middle. Blake, Lamb, Kenny. Nowadays, that is where you expect the fullback to be. And i acknowledge a fullback does plenty of running, but give me tired legs over over worked shoulders - particularly given Ponga has already had labrum tears. And before you accuse me of strawman, yes, fullbacks get shoulder injuries like halves, but I would anecdotally have to thing the incidence of halves requiring shoulders to be fixed is greater. I just think you are paying Ponga fullback money, so play him at fullback and get him to get involved the way Turbo, Papenhyzen, Gutho, Tedesco etc. get themselves involved.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. Problem is Newcastle didn’t score tries..14/17 th. The halfs try assists there were miserable. Clifford 8 and Pearce 7. Walker at Easts with similar receipts to Pearce had 19 TAs. Every Top 5 club had a half in the Top 10 for this crucial job..Clifford was 46th and Pearce didn’t crack the Top 50. They won’t be Top 4 next year letting that play out.
Tony
Roar Guru
What time do you call this? Did you sleep in. So I guess Johnston and Reynolds didn't qualify for the the Souths loyalty program?
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes Terry, he looks a bit broken these days