Cooper Cronk deal means no turning back for Sydney Roosters and Mitchell Pearce

THERE are two sides to the Mitchell Pearce story. But there’s one way the Roosters and the disgruntled halfback can both come out on top, writes Phil Rothfield.

Roosters Mitchell Pearce on the way to scoring his first try during the Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers rugby league game at Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

THE Sydney Roosters should do the right thing and give Mitchell Pearce permission to negotiate with rival clubs for next season.

You don’t pay a disgruntled footballer $800,000 a season if he doesn’t want to be there.

There are two sides to this story.

This is the player who has won the Roosters’ highest honour — the Jack Gibson Medal — three times.

He has played 238 games for the Roosters and always wanted to be a one-club player.

The Roosters feel they have been extremely loyal to the NSW State of Origin halfback in dealing with a number of off-field dramas in his decade at the club.

This is true and Pearce fully respects that.

ANGRY: Mitchell Pearce poised to quit Roosters

Mitchell Pearce always wanted to be a one-club player. Picture: Brett Costello

At the same time when he recommitted to the Roosters last April for another two seasons, Pearce took about $200,000-a-year less than he could have got elsewhere.

It was all about repaying the club for the loyalty they had shown him.

St George Illawarra paid Ben Hunt $1.2 million. The Titans have just paid Ash Taylor $1 million.

Pearce stayed at the Roosters for $800,000 because he felt he was in debt to the club.

Understandably he is dirty about the signing of Cooper Cronk and the fact he was never told or even warned that his position was under threat.

Mitchell Pearce could have got more money elsewhere when he re-signed with the Roosters. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The number seven tricolours jersey means the world to him.

The first he heard from coach Trent Robinson was late last week.

Pearce has since refused to sit down for a face-to-face meeting with the coach.

The Cronk deal is done so there is no turning back.

Rather than have two Origin halfbacks, the Roosters should be using Pearce’s money to buy a centre. That way it’s a win for all parties.

Originally published as Cooper Cronk deal means no turning back for Sydney Roosters and Mitchell Pearce