Knights slay Dragons 45-12 as Mitchell Pearce enters Origin frame
Undoubtedly the most polarising Blues player ever, Mitchell Pearce has suddenly catapulted himself back into discussions after he and Kalyn Ponga smashed up St George Illawarra in Mudgee.
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Some of you won’t like this, but Mitchell Pearce is back in the NSW Origin debate.
Big time.
Undoubtedly the most polarising Blues player ever - Pearce hasn’t won an Origin series in seven attempts - the Newcastle halfback is suddenly back in the mix after winning his fourth consecutive Dally M haul of three points against St George Illawarra on Sunday.
Outstanding against the Dragons in Mudgee, the playmaker who last represented the Blues in 2017 scored one try, orchestrated four more, even kicked a field goal for the packed bush crowd of 9,267 - a ground record.
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Apart from leading the Knights to four consecutive wins, Pearce has also now amassed a staggering 12 Dally M points in the past month.
Asked about his chances of reclaiming the Blues No.7 jersey, the playmaker with only five wins from 18 Origins said: “I don’t feel like I have to talk myself up, I’ve played plenty of games.
“I haven’t had much success - it’s been talked about for 10 years - but I’m happy with my footy and know what I bring.
“I’m comfortable with myself as a player. So if the Blues want to go with me, I’m not going to say no.”
Only last week, NSW coach Brad Fittler confirmed Pearce was in discussions for the halfback spot, along with incumbent Nathan Cleary and South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds. And against the Dragons, the Knights No.7 strengthened his case.
But as for who Pearce himself would pick?
“Nathan Cleary,” he said. “He won the series last year ... I feel a bit sorry for him copping a lot of criticism.
“I’m sure he would do a good job
“He’s got a steady game, that he trusts.”
PONGA PARTY
Kalyn Ponga’s headgear is quickly becoming the most sort after piece of NRL merchandise.
Outstanding for the Knights in Mudgee, where he earned 24 points from two tries and eight goals, the Knights No.1 then went and finished proceedings with what is quickly becoming his second best move outside the sidestep - jogging to the sideline and handing his headgear to a lucky, young fan.
Quizzed on the 21-year-old team-mate who is guaranteed the Queensland No.1 jersey, Pearce said: “There were a few times out there today, I was looking at him and you just want to give him the ball because he has just got that class.
“He’s just a class player. It’s scary for NSW.”
DRAGONS WOES
Frustrated St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is now promising changes after a disastrous performance saw his side slump to a fourth straight defeat.
Apart from conceding 44 points, the Dragons also only scored their two tries when Knights five-eighth Kurt Mann was sin binned.
“The same people are making the same errors and poor reads on a weekly basis,” McGregor conceded. “So it might be time for change.
Asked if some players were too comfortable, the coach continued: “When there’s a lot of people missing with experience you can get comfortable.
“I’m not saying that’s the case at the moment ... and it would be disappointing if it is.
“But right now, we’re halfway through the year so if we’re still making the same errors, and giving away the same sort of penalties, the same people are doing it that means they’re not listening.”
BUSH MAGIC
Want to know the value of bringing NRL games west?
According to Mudgee mayor Des Kennedy, junior participation numbers have skyrocketed in the two years since his town started hosting both the annual Charity Shield and a Dragons round game.
“And those numbers aren’t a coincidence,” Kennedy said. “Since we’ve started getting regular NRL games out here, junior registration numbers have increased dramatically.”
NEWCASTLE 45 (K Ponga 2 T Glasby S Kenny-Dowall K Mann M Pearce C Watson tries K Ponga 8 goals M Pearce field goal) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 12 (Z Lomax T Sims tries J Field 2 goals) at Glen Willow Stadium. Referee: GerardSutton, Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 9,267
Originally published as Knights slay Dragons 45-12 as Mitchell Pearce enters Origin frame
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