Mitchell Pearce can prove his Origin value with big game against Roosters
If anyone is due another shot at Origin redemption, it is Mitchell Pearce. And what better time to prove himself than against his former club, writes MATTY JOHNS.
Opinion
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Any competitor worth their salt always wants to be at their very best when taking on their old team.
That’s why Newcastle’s clash with the Sydney Roosters could not come at a better time for Mitchell Pearce.
Mitchell’s early form this season mirrored that of his team.
Pearce was at the centre of a team struggling with new combinations and new expectations.
The Hunter Valley side was viewed as a finals team, the fans saw the improvement last campaign and now it was time to take it to the next level.
They were poor.
For Pearce’s part he appeared to abandon his greatest strength, challenging the tight defenders with direct ball running.
Instead, Mitchell finessed the ball sideways, he handled the football a lot, but his playmaking lacked penetration.
Last year the Knights and their No.7 moved away from the mundane block plays and their attack was as dangerous as any in the competition.
But early 2019, they were playing more block plays than anyone. Teams recognised it.
Pearce took the ball to the line … tight block play for Kalyn Ponga.
Defences rushed at Ponga outside in, suffocating his time and space. A lot was made of Ponga wearing the No.6, but his lesser impact had more to do with how he was receiving the football rather than the number on his back.
Then came round six, and the Knights’ football bottomed out completely, a 38-14 loss to the Gold Coast.
Nothing measures intent like defensive energy, and Newcastle had none. If this wasn’t rock bottom, it was only a short walk away.
LISTEN! The Panthers have gone from bad to worse, Mitchell Pearce has the Knights firing and Matty also pays tribute to Bob Hawke and Quentin Pongia. As always he is joined by Kenty and Finchy for rugby league’s best podcast.
They needed to respond fast and they did.
As the cameras captured the Knights team gathering in the tunnel the following Sunday, there was a steely look in the eyes of the players that hadn’t been there in 2019.
Knights 28, Eels 14.
In the 80-minute performance Pearce found his football. Rather than shovel the ball sideways Mitchell charged directly, his late footwork penetrating the Eels. He played with more ferocity than finesse and his teammates followed.
That win turned not just the Knights’ season, but Mitchell’s.
Newcastle have won four on the trot and in each game Pearce’s performances have gotten more and more complete.
In the Knights’ Magic Round win over Canterbury, Pearce showed a patience I’ve rarely seen from him.
Key for a playmaker is to find time among the speed and madness of the contest.
Historically, this hasn’t been Pearce’s strength. He likes the accelerator more than the brakes.
But in the Bulldogs match, when the Knights were attacking Canterbury’s line, you could see Pearce breathe, slow the tempo a little and give himself the time to find the right play.
Last Sunday’s performance in the Knights’ victory over St George Illawarra was a masterclass.
At times he played with his trademark ferocity, at other stages he slowed and invited defenders to come onto him.
The directness of his playmaking pulled the Dragons apart, creating the space for Ponga to rip and tear.
It was Pearce’s best game in red and blue.
Two weeks ago Pearce’s name wasn’t even mentioned in State of Origin selection, but suddenly it is and it’s getting louder.
The timing of this Roosters clash is perfect for him.
His name is no doubt below Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker in terms of halves selection, but a big game will turn NSW coach Brad Fittler’s head.
But that will not be Pearce’s greatest motivation for a fifth straight man-of-the-match performance.
It’s the Roosters and Cooper Cronk.
This week Cronk announced he would retire at the season’s end and he received all the plaudits his brilliant career deserves.
Pearce would’ve seen it all and the fire in the belly will be burning.
Originally published as Mitchell Pearce can prove his Origin value with big game against Roosters
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