Buzz: Latrell Mitchell-Jack Wighton suspension looms, pay war claims scalps, Mitch Pearce booze ban
Mitchell Pearce has had his share of booze-related incidents over the years. But he hopes a self-imposed alcohol ban can open the door for one more crack at the NRL.
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The NRL is under pressure to suspend superstars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton from round one of the competition to stay consistent with action over player misdemeanours.
While most agree their 3.45am wrestle outside a Canberra nightclub was minor on the player-misbehaviour scale, it hasn’t stopped the NRL integrity unit in the past.
There is no question the dramatic arrests, charges and media coverage has brought the game into disrepute.
Last year Broncos star Payne Haas was suspended for a week for clipping teammate Albert Kelly in mobile phone footage that found its way onto social media.
It makes it hard for the NRL to go soft on Mitchell and Wighton.
Much will depend on evidence when the players front the ACT Magistrates court on February 22.
Boxer Anthony Mundine is among many who have described the incident as a police over-reaction.
“From what I’m told it was pretty harmless and a bit of a gee-up,” Mundine said “Alcohol was involved but I’m told the police overreacted. That’s what eyewitnesses have been saying.
“Some police abuse their power. If it wasn’t Latrell and Jack, would anything have happened?”
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SAINT
There are some small things rugby league players do that leave a big impression. The Maori All Stars did a store appearance and signing session at Harvey Norman in Rotorua. Afterwards the players could have walked straight out. Instead they stayed back and packed away the tables and chairs before doing a haka for Harvey Norman staff to thank them for sponsoring the game. It was a lovely touch.
SINNER
Bookmaker Sportsbet shouted an $8960 meal at Rockpool restaurant for federal Labor politician Michelle Rowland before last year’s election to lobby for better betting regulations. Down the road dozens of homeless men and women slept on the pavement, many of them the victims of gambling
SHOOSH
Broncos recruit Marty Taupau is a huge admirer of his halfback Adam Reynolds. “His football IQ is far beyond anyone I know,” Taupau says. This has been seen as a sneaky crack at his former teammate and skipper Daly Cherry Evans at Manly.
SHOOSH
Which new recruit at a QLD-based NRL club slept in and missed training recently. His lack of discipline is one reason why his previous coach was more than happy to release him.
SHOOSH
Which legal heavyweight has been approached to take over as chairman of the NSW Rugby League in a move to fix relationships with the NRL and the Sydney clubs.
SPOTTED
Channel 9 rugby league presenter Danika Mason showing off her flash new and environment-friendly set of wheels – a fully electric BYD Atto 3. Danika’s an ambassador for the car company
SPOTTED
Mitchell Starc enjoying a quiet beer at former Wallaby Bill Young’s Palace Hotel at Mortlake last week. He has yet to join the Australian team in India as he recovers from the finger injury he suffered at the Boxing Day Test.
SPOTTED
We wrote in December that NRL boss Andrew Abdo and South Sydney CEO Blake Solly wouldn’t be exchanging Christmas cards after a bitter falling out over CBA negotiations. This is why it was such a shock to hear the pair had breakfast together last week at Bills in Surry Hills.
SPOTTED
The great Wayne Bennett doing a rare advertising shoot with Latrell Mitchell and Collingwood AFL star Scott Pendlebury for Kayo.
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THE bitter RLPA dispute with the NRL is taking its toll on the key negotiators.
The NRL’s chief financial officer John Osborne has told staff he will soon be leaving.
It’s no secret that NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has been struggling with the long hours and looks fatigued.
And Clint Newton, the RLPA boss, is no certainty to continue long term in the role once the dispute has been settled.
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MANLY’S new assistant coach Shane Flanagan is dreading the opening round of the premiership.
The 2016 premiership-winning coach is up against son Kyle at Brookvale Oval when the Sea Eagles host the Canterbury Bulldogs.
“I know it’s got to happen but I hate it,” Flanagan said. “As soon as the draw came out I thought ‘oh shit’.
“It makes me feel sick in the guts. I want Kyle to do well and have a great season. And I’ve got a job to do at Manly.
“The best outcome would be Manly winning but Kyle getting man of the match.”
It is a huge year for Kyle who is off contract at the end of the season at Belmore.
But Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has shown no desire to resign him. Instead he paid a $500,000 transfer fee to the Broncos to secure boom teenager Karl Oloapu.
“He’s at a really important stage of his career,” Shane said.
Kyle no longer lives at home. He moved into his own house in the Shire in January. So at least they are not talking footy around the dinner table in the build up to the game.
Premier coach Ivan Cleary, in his days at the Wests Tigers, had to coach against his son Nathan.
He spoke about it earlier this year: “One thing always gnawed at me was I had to coach against my son, two games I did it, I hated it, my wife hated it, I really didn’t like it.”
It was the major reason why he returned to Penrith as coach the following year.
Two other NRL coaches have sons playing NRL but don’t have to coach against them – Kevin Walters at the Broncos with Billy and Brad Arthur at the Parramatta Eels with Jake.
* * * * *
MITCHELL Pearce has given up alcohol as he looks to extend his footy career.
The 33-year-old halfback hasn’t touched a drink for 10 weeks. It is self-imposed.
“I’m going to stick to it,” Pearce said, “You get to my age and you’ve got to look after yourself.
“I’m not putting a time limit on it but I’m going to keep it going.”
It’s a big commitment from one of the game’s great characters who has had his share of booze-related incidents over the years.
This time next year Pearce hopes to be preparing for another NRL season.
Maybe at his old club the Sydney Roosters or even the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The former Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights and Blues Origin halfback has one year remaining on his contract with Catalans in the UK Super League.
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— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) June 15, 2022
9ème essai pour Mitchell Pearce sous le maillot catalan ! pic.twitter.com/hdNGYKF151
“I’m fully committed and looking forward to starting next weekend,” he said.
“Who knows what will happen after that. I’ve always said I’d like another year in the NRL before retiring so we’ll see what’s available.”
Pearce is in a great head space.
When we spoke to him in France on Friday night he was having a quiet dinner at a restaurant rather than a night at the pub.
He sounded as upbeat as ever.
The veteran halfback has always been a great trainer and his body is in good shape.
Pearce is still on great terms with Roosters supremo Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson. He won four Jack Gibson player-of-the-year medals at the Chooks.
They’ve always left the door open at Moore Park for a farewell season.
There is a shortage of quality halfbacks in the NRL and he’d be a handy pick up for any number of clubs. If Josh Reynolds can get a start at 33, surely Pearce can too.
* * * * *
TICKETS to Tim Tszyu’s world title fight on March 12 went on sale on Friday and are selling for as much as $5000 for ringside seats.
Despite the hefty prices, promoters No Limit Boxing expect a record crowd for a sporting event at Qudos Bank arena when Tszyu fights American Tony Harrison for the WBO super-welterweight world title.
The record is 17,514 for a Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks basketball game in 2019 and before that 16,752 for the 2015 World Cup netball final
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Originally published as Buzz: Latrell Mitchell-Jack Wighton suspension looms, pay war claims scalps, Mitch Pearce booze ban
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