Newcastle Knights set to offer Mitchell Pearce 12-month contract extension

The Newcastle Knights are headed to the negotiation table with an offer of a new deal for Mitchell Pearce — who has some big choices to make.

Mitchell Pearce and Jake Clifford.

Mitchell Pearce will be offered a 12-month contract extension to stay at the Newcastle Knights despite a turbulent off-season that suffered another blow with revelations he requires immediate surgery.

Without a contract beyond the upcoming 2021 season, the star halfback will meet with Knights management on Thursday to discuss his future beyond this year.

Having already lost the Knights captaincy following an ugly texting scandal with a female Newcastle staffer that resulted in the postponement of his wedding prior to Christmas, Pearce underwent surgery to his right thumb on Wednesday following a training incident.

Pearce’s string of setbacks hasn’t stopped the Knights from wanting to keep the former NSW Origin half at the club.

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Mitchell Pearce will undergo surgery on his thumb. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

However, the contract negotiation process could evolve into a defining chapter for Pearce, who turns 32 in April.

Does he accept a reduced deal – both financially and in length – to stay loyal to his coach Adam O’Brien, with whom he shares a close relationship?

Or does the veteran half look to complete the final few years left of his NRL career by signing a longer-term deal with a rival club?

The Wests Tigers are one club that have been linked to Pearce.

Knights head of recruitment Clint Zammit confirmed the club’s aim was to retain Pearce, who originally signed a four-year $4 million deal with the club in 2018.

“It’s always been the plan that Mitchell is here beyond this year – and nothing has changed with us,’’ Zammit said on Wednesday.

“I’ve been in constant contact with Mitchell and I’ll catch up again with him tomorrow.

“He’s our halfback, he’s a leader, he’s a good person and all things going ahead he’ll be here beyond this year.”

Mitchell Pearce and his fiancee Kristin Scott. Picture: Instagram

Zammit wouldn’t discuss the financial terms or length of contract the Knights were willing to offer Pearce.

But it’s understood the club will table a 12-month contract extension with the purpose of then assessing Pearce’s form at the end of the 2022 season.

The Knights also want Pearce to play a key role in the mentorship and guidance of half Jake Clifford, who will shift from North Queensland to join Newcastle next year.

“I think he’s (Pearce) still got a lot to offer in that senior role and when we bring ‘Cliff’ in,’’ Zammit said.

“He (Clifford) could learn off Mitchell and grow as a player himself.”

While Pearce suggested his priority was to stay at the Knights beyond this year – he left himself enough wiggle room with his answer about his future to potentially explore his options.

“I’m not too sure what’s going to happen there (with my future). I’m just taking it one day at a time,’’ Pearce said.

“You never know what is around the corner.

“I’d love to say here.

“But at the moment I’ll get the operation this afternoon and get a good sleep and worry about winning the day tomorrow.’’

The North Queensland Cowboys’ Jake Clifford will join the Knights for the 2022 NRL season. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The 297-gamer suffered the injury setback during a wrestling session last week.

Pearce was adamant the operation would only cost him two weeks of training without the football in hand.

“It’s a small little hiccup, but it’s a long year,’’ Pearce said.

“It’s a little crack there.

“I’m just grateful that if you’re going to get it at any time, you get it now six to seven weeks out from round one.

“I can still do some running and stuff and I’ll be back to doing ballwork in a couple of weeks.

“I could possibly play trials, but that will be up to Ads (O’Brien).”

Pearce also addressed the media over his demotion from the club’s leadership group and the relationship with his teammates after the ugly texting scandal led to reports of a division within the squad.

“I’m still going to be doing my best and leading as well as I can,’’ Pearce said.

“There’s obviously reasons for why that happens and we all know that.

“It’s not going to change my motivation. I’ve come out of this more motivated than I’ve ever been.

“It’s a private matter so we’re (Pearce and his partner) working on it privately.

“Things are going well.

“The boys have been great. I think that’s one great thing about playing a team sport, being around your teammates it’s a real family.

“Right or wrong, good or bad, the boys jump on and support you, like your brothers, your family members.’’

Originally published as Newcastle Knights set to offer Mitchell Pearce 12-month contract extension