Apr 25th, 2017

Apr 25th, 2017

If yesterday’s Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and Dragons was to be viewed as any form of rehearsal for the halfback position in the New South Wales State of Origin team, then to my mind, Rooster halfback Mitchell Pearce passed with flying colours.

If I was picking this year’s New South Wales Origin side, (and thankfully I’m not), then I would have no hesitation in handing Mitchell Pearce the number seven jumper.

I’m not even sure if Mitchell wants to play Origin football. Hopefully he does. But I can understand if he doesn’t.

The battle scars he undoubtedly carries from his previous experiences at this level, may well have him feeling he never wants to go back there again. I can understand his hesitation, but if given the chance, I’d like to try and convince him why he should. To me, he’s the right man for the job.

Pearce has been much maligned by critics over the years. It’s fair to say that some of the criticism has certainly been warranted. Mitchell had brought a lot of this upon himself. However, I’ve always felt that the clear majority of this criticism was way over the top. I have often found myself in a position of trying to defend Mitchell. I make no secret of the fact that I’m an admirer.

Mitchell Pearce (r) was roasted by Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston (2l) in the 2015 State of Origin series. (AAP)



He seems to have been around forever. He made his NRL debut with the Roosters back in season 2007, at just 17 years of age. Think about that for a moment; 17 years of age.

Since then he has played 222 NRL matches for the Roosters. Pearce has played in two Grand Finals in 2010 and 2013. He won the Jack Gibson Medal for Roosters Player of the Year on three occasions. He has twice represented the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII. He represented NRL All Stars in 2015, City Origin in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Find me a more experienced and qualified halfback, anywhere in the NRL right now, to play for New South Wales.

Mitchell Pearce has played 15 State of Origin matches for New South Wales between 2008 and 2015. Critics will point to the fact that the Blues were dominated in this interstate competition during Pearce’s time. Most people have been keen to point the finger at Pearce as the major reason for New South Wales’ poor record.

I’ve never held that view. Even more than this, I feel that Pearce’s experience during this long period of pain for the New South Wales Origin side, could well be a major asset to both Pearce and the Blues as they try to claw back the deficit in the number of series won.

I have no doubt Pearce could use the pain and torment he has previously experienced at Origin level, to guide the many new and exciting young talents New South Wales will introduce to Origin football over the next few seasons.

Mitchell Pearce has played 15 State of Origin games for NSW but has never been part of a winning series. (AAP)



His performance yesterday against the Dragons, in a wonderful Anzac Day match, was superb. He displayed the toughness, confidence, and resilience of an experienced leader. He also produced three or four special moments during the match that significantly contributed to his team’s narrow Golden Point victory.

I watched him closely. I always do. I can see a difference in the Mitchell Pearce of today compared to the vulnerable Pearce of previous years. It’s hard to put into words, but I’ve always felt that Pearce played his football with his mind somewhere up in the grandstands, imagining what the media and fans would be saying about him at that time. I’ve never been comfortable that Pearce’s mind was actually out there on the field, playing in the moment. He is always appeared mindful of the consequences of any misdirected actions. Maybe even spooked by it. I honestly think media criticism has worn him down over the years, and this has shown in his play.

Right now, I see more calmness and confidence in his football. I see more controlled aggression in his actions. The try he scored under the posts at a vital stage of yesterday’s contest had nothing to do with talent, skill, or planning. It was a try of courage. It was a leader doing whatever was necessary to get his team a win.

Don’t get me wrong, Mitchell Pearce cannot beat Queensland on his own. He is not that sort of halfback. At this stage of his career though, I honestly believe he can direct a talented group of youngsters in the right direction, to win a State of Origin series.

Anyway, that’s just my opinion.

Pearce regathers to give the Roosters the lead against the Dragons

For the record, I totally enjoyed the big game yesterday between the Roosters and Dragons. It was a tough game of football.

Both teams really ripped into each other. There were many casualties during the afternoon. For those who survived the 80 minutes of brutality, there will be a lot of sore bodies having trouble dragging themselves out of bed the morning after.

There was nothing between the two sides and to be honest a draw would have been a fitting result. Speaking to a lot of people as we left the ground after the match, fans from both sides were commenting that it was unfair there had to be a loser on the day. I don’t want to start the debate again about the pros and cons of golden point extra time, but if ever there was an example of where the match should have finished at the final siren, this was certainly it.

Mind you, I think the result could have been different had Dragons’ playmaker Gareth Widdop not left the field before halftime with a knee injury. He was sorely missed by his team and from that point on they really did lose all their direction and potency in attacking situations.

The Dragons defended courageously to keep themselves in the contest. They showed yet again that their lofty position on the premiership ladder after eight rounds is no fluke at all. This is a really solid football team.

The Dragons' hopes of winning the Anzac Day match against the Sydney Roosters nosedived when Gareth Widdop was injured. (AAP)



The Roosters were also extremely impressive. It’s the best 80-minute performance we’ve witnessed from their forward pack this season. I’m confident this is a sign of better things to come.

However, result aside, the overriding feeling I had driving home from the game, was that I would want Mitchell Pearce in my team if I was coaching the New South Wales Blues this season.

I’m sure we can win with him.