LEAGUE great Mark Geyer has accused the NRL of showing favouritism towards the Roosters in banning Mitchell Pearce for the first eight weeks of the season and hitting him with a $125,000 fine.

It’s the biggest financial punishment in the NRL’s history but Geyer claims if the halfback didn’t play for the powerhouse that is the Roosters, ARLC chairman John Grant would have thrown the book at Pearce for his Australia Day antics.

“There’s one rule for one and one rule for another,” Geyer said on Triple M’s TheGrill Team on Friday morning.

“I dare say if he wasn’t a Rooster — and the Roosters are probably the most powerful club in Sydney — if he wasn’t a Rooster but he was a Raider or maybe a Titan we wouldn’t have seen him for 12 months.”

Round 19

Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce in action. Source: News Corp Australia

Opinions on the punishment have been divided since a lewd video surfaced of a drunken Pearce.

NRL women’s adviser Catharine Lumby called for Pearce to be banned for life from the NRL.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson responded to Lumby’s call a few days ago labelling such a punishment as “over the top and unprecedented.”

“He hasn’t been sacked by a club before,” Robinson said.

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“I think the people who have made those comments have tempered their views.”

A $50,000 wedge of the $125,000 fine has been suspended for two years, leaving Pearce $75,000 out of pocket.

Up until Pearce’s punishment which was handed down on Thursday, the largest fine for any misbehaving player had been $50,000.

In 2004 Mark Gasnier was hit with a one-game suspension, fined $50,000 and punted from the NSW Origin team after leaving a drunken and abusive voice message after a team bonding session.

In 2009 Nate Myles copped a six-week suspension and $50,000 fine for defecating in the corridor of a hotel.

Not only will Pearce miss eight weeks but he has been stripped of his captaincy and according to Matthew Johns, the punishment fits the crime.

“I’m comfortable with it,” Johns said on The Grill Team.

“Because you know what wouldn’t have served him well, if they’d come out and said $50,000 and two weeks suspension. People would be going nuts saying he’s been hit with a feather.

“He’s been whacked with a big stick, Mitchell is comfortable with it ... and the eight weeks will serve the kid well.”

Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) CEO Ian Prendergast said Pearce’s welfare must be the priority as the playmaker focuses on getting his life back on track.

Mitchell Pearce at training. Source: News Corp Australia

While Prendergast said it had been an extremely difficult situation to deal with for all those involved, it’s promising to see Pearce’s determination to rebuild his personal and professional reputation.

“Our focus has been on working with the Sydney Roosters and the NRL to ensure Mitch’s wellbeing remained the priority throughout and that a fair process was followed,” said Prendergast.

“Whilst people will have different views about the penalty imposed, it now allows Mitch a period of time to focus on getting his life and football career back on track.”

Pearce will be eligible to return for the Roosters against Newcastle in round nine on April 30.