The Matty Johns phone call that could help Newcastle sign Mitchell Pearce
MATTY Johns has spilled the beans on the phone call that could help the Newcastle Knights land the signature of former Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.
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IT’S the Matty Johns phone call that could help Newcastle land the signature of former Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.
Only hours after Pearce was released from the Tricolours on Monday, he received a phone call from Johns urging him to revive his career at the Knights.
“I’d been talking to people in Newcastle, like Nathan Brown, and they were airing to me how desperate they were to get Mitch,” Johns told The Daily Telegraph.
“As a bloke who played up there I wanted to tell him that and say how much it would mean to the town and the team to have him part of it.
“It was also just to say that Newcastle is a great town and place to live.
“It’s a club on the up and I believe a move for Mitch there would be terrific for him. I think there is going to be significant movement up the ladder for the Knights and with Pearce who knows where they could go and I just wanted him to know that.”
Johns, who has known Pearce dating back to his playing days, also wanted to comfort him after parting ways with the Roosters.
The premiership-winning five-eighth was forced to leave Newcastle in 2000 due to the salary cap and understands the pain associated with moving on.
Pearce made the decision to leave the Roosters after they signed Cooper Cronk, but Johns has no doubts the NSW No.7 can excel at another club.
“I felt sorry for Mitch,” he said.
“It’s just the brutal nature of professional sport. It hurts a little bit and I thought I’d give him a ring.”
During the phone call, Pearce also expressed his concern about joining a young team where he would be left to carry the load.
Johns eased these fears by talking up Newcastle’s potential, which has been significantly boosted with a number experienced signings like Aidan Guerra, Chris Heighington and Jacob Lillyman over the off-season.
“I assured Mitch he wouldn’t be going to a club that is going to have the foot on its throat like the last couple of years at the Knights,” he said.
“Also, from a footballer’s point of view you want to know that you are going to be somewhere that is financially sound.
“You also want to be competitive and accepted by the team.”
When it comes to passionate community support, it’s hard to go past Newcastle.
The Novocastrians love rugby league and turn up in impressive numbers to watch their beloved Knights.
This was on display last season when Newcastle’s home crowds averaged over 15,000 despite the team collecting their third consecutive wooden spoon.
Johns believes Pearce would thrive playing for the Hunter faithful.
“I think if Mitch goes up there he’ll be blown away by the reaction of the community,” he said.
“That’s a big one as a player and that helps your football.
“It’s also a good time to get to the Knights. They are on the up. They were getting good crowds last year, so just imagine what happens when they start stringing four or five wins together.”
For now, Pearce faces a big decision on his future.
Johns said the maligned halfback was yet to make up his mind, with a host of clubs including Melbourne and Canberra circling for his signature.
“I think he is pretty confused at the moment,” he said.
“He has a lot of things going on in his head. I think he is still getting his head around the fact he won’t be at the Roosters.
“So we’ve just got our fingers crossed.”