NRL’s confession: We were too harsh on Mitchell Pearce’s dog act

Three years after Mitchell Pearce was suspended for eight weeks and fined $125,000 as one of the heaviest sanctions in rugby league history, the NRL has finally admitted they overreacted and got the decision wrong.

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Three years after Mitchell Pearce was suspended for eight weeks and fined $125,000, the NRL has finally admitted they overreacted and got the decision wrong.

It is one of many reasons why the role of the NRL integrity unit is now under review and is poised to introduce fixed penalties for various offence and take power away from club’s handling their own private investigations.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg told Roosters officials at a meeting two weeks ago that Pearce’s suspension over a lewd video was “overcooked.”

Knights star Mitchell Pearce was at the Roosters when he copped a record suspension and fine after footage was released which showed him simulating a sex act with a dog. Picture: Getty

It was former commission chairman John Grant who handed down the punishment.

Integrity unit boss Nick Weeks addressed the 16 NRL chief executives on Thursday about proposed changes to game’s disciplinary procedures.

He revealed there had been as many as 180 sanctions handed down by the integrity unit in the last five years from salary cap breaches to off-field player scandals and cases of administration inconsistency.

Pearce was hit with one of the heaviest punishments in the history of the game yet others in a similar position, like South Sydney forward Sam Burgess last year, escaped punishment.

Mitchell Pearce made headlines around the country in january 2016 when footage of his Australia Day antics emerged.

Under the review of the integrity unit’s role, Weeks and chief investigator Karyn Murphy will have more control over the clubs in handing down penalties.

“Unfortunately, during the off-season we have had a number of players charged with serious offences, which has undone much of the improvement of recent years,” Weeks said.

“This remains a work-in-progress, but the commission has asked us to explore options to strengthen our integrity systems so that we can more effectively protect the reputation of the sport.

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“The new no-fault stand down rule is an example of that strengthened environment. But we are exploring other areas of our rules as well.

“For example, we are talking to clubs and the RLPA about the merits of the NRL assuming responsibility for investigation and prosecuting all allegations of misconduct.

“We are also considering the introduction of a schedule of fixed penalties for different offences and the adequacy of the integrity unit’s resources to monitor and prosecute matters.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has contacted the Roosters to tell them the previous NRL administration overreacted with Pearce’s 2016 punishment. Picture: AAP

“In short, the Commission has asked us to consider all options that will assist the League to manage integrity matters and enhance public confidence in the sport.

“There is still a lot of work to be done but we have had a good discussion today with the clubs and the RLPA and we anticipate returning to the Commission with recommendations for reform in the second half of the year.”

Originally published as NRL’s confession: We were too harsh on Mitchell Pearce’s dog act