Cronulla, Manly and Newcastle are now locked in a three-way battle for Mitchell Pearce
ROOSTERS supremo Nick Politis called Mitchell Pearce’s exit “a very sad day for the club” — but now the NSW halfback faces a three-way battle for his signature.
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Roosters supremo Nick Politis’ was locked in a meeting on Monday afternoon when his mobile phone rang with Mitchell Pearce’s name on the screen.
He knew what was coming but stepped outside to take the call.
The disgruntled halfback wanted to tell him before anyone else … that he wanted out.
“It’s a very sad day for the club but I could understand,” Politis said. “All I wanted to do was make him a better player.
“He’s a very, very good halfback but I wanted him to be a great one like (Johnathan) Thurston, Andrew Johns and even (Cooper) Cronk.
“He needed to go to the next level.”
But Pearce had made his mind up.
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After a decade long career, a premiership, 238 first grade games and three Jack Gibson medals, it was all over.
He broke the news to coach Trent Robinson over lunch before making the call to Politis.
The Cronulla Sharks, the Manly Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights are now locked in a three-way chequebook war for his signature.
There has also been talk of representatives from Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos contacting Pearce personally to express interest.
His agent Steve Gillis will wade through all the offers over the next week.
Politis said Pearce told him he only wanted to play halfback in the chief play-making role.
That No.14 off the bench as a back-up in the halves or at hooker was of no interest.
“He just said he wanted to play number seven,” Politis said, “He wants to run the football team around the park, whatever team he’s playing in.
“As I said it’s sad but we wish him well.”
Politis has been close to Pearce from when he first joined the club a boom 17-year-old schoolboy. They have been good for each other.
Pearce steered the Roosters to a premiership in 2013, a victory over Manly at ANZ Stadium.
The club has helped him through a number of serious off-field indiscretions including a long suspension last year and a visit to a Thailand rehab clinic after his drunken behaviour on Australia Day.
In a club statement, Pearce said the decision to leave the club was tough.
“I’ve been with the Roosters since I was 17 and have grown into a man here. I’ve made a lot of close friends at the club, and I’ve always been proud to wear the Roosters jersey.
“The Roosters club and people there will always mean a lot to me, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge joining a new club will bring, while continuing to push myself to be the best halfback I can be.
“Now that I’ve made this decision, hopefully I’ll have the rest of my future sorted over the next few weeks.”
The Daily Telegraph first revealed on October 25 that Pearce had told Robinson he wanted out. He was filthy at being kept out of the loop over Cronk’s negotiations.
Originally Politis insisted the club would not allow Pearce to leave. He later softened the stance.
Pearce’s departure now gives the Roosters more than $1 million to spend in their 2018 salary cap. They have already snared Cronk and champion fullback James Tedesco.
The Daily Telegraph understand Robinson is keen to strengthen the centre and front-row positions.