Mitchell Pearce has bettered his game on the field but his attitude off it has a long way to go

LISTEN to Wayne Pearce’s voicemail, it ends with: “Remember, life is a lesson. What have you learned today?’’ It’s a shame Pearce’s son Mitchell is a slow learner.

LISTEN to Wayne Pearce’s voicemail, and it ends with the Balmain great saying: “Remember, life is a lesson. What have you learned today?’’

It’s a shame Pearce’s famous son Mitchell is a bit of a slow learner.

While Pearce continues to better his game on the field, his Australia Day embarrassment proves he still has a long way to go off it.

This was the same halfback who last year described the famous ‘’girl in the yellow dress’’ incident as a ‘’little slip-up where I let myself down’’.

In April 2013, a stumbling Pearce was caught on CCTV camera trying to grab the attention of a female patron, and later arrested and fined for an altercation with police in Sydney’s Kings Cross.

The little slip-up cost him a one-match suspension with the Roosters.

The little slip-up cost him a $20,000 fine.

The little slip-up led to him being dropped by NSW coach Laurie Daley. The Blues went on to finally end Queensland’s Origin stranglehold.

SANCTIONS: Pearce to lose captaincy, receive hefty fine

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SCANDAL: Pearce shamed in drunken party video

“It was a situation that was disappointing. You always have different situations, and you make the right decision or the wrong decision. I like to think these days I’m making a lot better decisions,’’ Pearce said last year, when appointed Sydney Roosters’ co-captain and asked to reflect on the Kings Cross encounter.

The first time Pearce made headlines away from the field was 2009. He was questioned by police over a brawl that broke out in The Rocks. A photo of Pearce, Jake Friend and Sandor Earl in a holding cell at The Rocks Police Station made back page headlines.

Pearce was never charged over the incident.

Sandor Earl took to social media to defend Mitchell Pearce.

Earl took to social media to defend Pearce, claiming it was a shame someone had filmed him at a private party in the first place, then sold the footage to media outlets.

“Anyone who knows Mitch knows how good a bloke he is, and a clubman,’’ Earl wrote.

“Be realistic before you get on social media and on the bandwagon and abuse a bloke for poor behaviour on the piss behind closed doors.’’

Peter Sterling, who played with and against Pearce’s father Wayne, said on Triple M: “The guys have got every right to be out on Australia Day, on a boat enjoying themselves. The vast majority of the Roosters had a great time and went home. Mitchell should have done the same thing. He’ll pay the consequences.’’

Clearly a fan of The Rocks late at night, Pearce popped up again in 2012, this time smiling and looking rightfully proud of himself as he hailed a cab with Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts.

US singer Ashley Roberts with Mitchell Pearce leaving a bar together in 2012. Picture: Supplied

“The boys have been playing The Pussycat Dolls all week,’’ Pearce later said.

However, it soon emerged he was still involved with his long-time girlfriend Phoebe Carpenter, who stood by him at the time.

Pearce’s actual football career has only gone from strength to strength.

He made his debut as a bright-eyed 17-year-old against Johnathan Thurston’s North Queensland Cowboys in 2007, and featured in his first representative game the following year, playing for City Origin against Country Origin’s larrikin halves Brett Finch and Todd Carney.

Pearce and Carney hit it off instantly for the Roosters in 2010, and led the club all the way to the grand final.

In 2013 Pearce hit league’s summit when he won the grand final for the Roosters over Manly.

The back half of 2014 _ following his Origin exile _ he played the best footy he’s ever produced. Last year he became the youngest player to chalk up 200 career games.

On the field ‘’Junior’’ is a fast learner. But the latest lesson off it might cost him his career.