Footy friendships from 30 years at Balmain ago could deliver Mitchell Pearce to Manly
FOOTY friendships forged more than 30 years ago at Balmain might be the catalyst for NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce to join Manly.
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FOOTY friendships forged more than 30 years ago at Balmain might be the catalyst for NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce to join Manly.
Pearce and Sea Eagles forward Curtis Sironen are good mates through a friendship with Liam Roach since childhood.
The three youngsters are sons of former Tigers legends Wayne “Junior” Pearce, Paul Sironen and Steve “Blocker” Roach.
And adding to the Balmain connection is Pearce’s girlfriend, Zoe Grant, who is daughter of former Balmain winger James Grant.
Pearce, Sironen, Roach and Grant all played together in Balmain’s 1989 grand final loss to Canberra.
Pearce, Sironen and Roach were together at Leichhardt from 1986.
Paul Sironen said he would love for the off-contract Pearce to line up alongside Curtis at Manly next season.
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The Sea Eagles are locked in a four-way battle to sign Mitchell Pearce with Newcastle, Cronulla and Melbourne Storm.
“Curtis and Mitchell are mates, Liam Roach is actually the conduit,” Paul said.
“Curtis and Mitchell are really good mates with Liam.
“They have all grown up together, although Curtis is a few years younger. The Roach’s live in our street.
“All three boys are really good friends, which is lovely. Myself, ‘Blocker’ and ‘Junior’ all have a good relationship, a special bond after many, many years.
“It’s nice to see the boys are good mates. They all played street cricket, touch footy and pool cricket, all that sort of stuff — as kids do.
“Mitch has always been coming and going from the Roach’s place, Curtis goes there as well. They have built up a good relationship.”
Paul Sironen and Steve Roach are particularly close mates and they catch up with Wayne Pearce several times a year. Paul once worked with Grant, too.
Mitchell Pearce is expected to make a decision on his future within the next week.
Manly are said to be his preferred choice, although Newcastle can make a larger financial offer.
A move to defending premiers Melbourne or last year’s premiers Cronulla must also be tempting for Pearce.
“I would love to see Mitch and Curtis play club footy together,’’ Paul Sironen said.
“I would love to see Mitchell go to Manly. It would be a good move for him. The good thing for Mitch is that he has plenty of options.
“It will depend on whether he wants to get out of the fish bowl of Sydney.
“Mitchell has done a great job at the Roosters. He is a wonderful club player.
“He has been much maligned at Origin level — if you’re not winning, that happens. He cops plenty, a lot of it unwarranted.
“Now that Blake Green has gone, Manly are going to need someone playing on that left edge. Mitch would be terrific for them.”