Mitchell Pearce not for sale, Roosters chairman Nick Politis tells NRL rivals
NEWCASTLE have lodged their interest in Mitchell Pearce — only to be told by Roosters supremo Nick Politis the unsettled star is not on the market.
Roosters
Don't miss out on the headlines from Roosters. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SYDNEY Roosters supremo Nick Politis has scuppered Newcastle’s attempt to sign Mitchell Pearce at the first hurdle — telling the Knights’ his unsettled star is not on the market.
The Roosters chairman met with Knights director John Quayle and new chief executive Phil Gardner on Tuesday to discuss a variety of rugby league issues at a cafe near Politis’ Rushcutters Bay offices.
Quayle introduced Gardner — who takes over as Newcastle chief executive on Wednesday with The Wests Group assuming control of the club — to Politis, who he’s been friends with for 40 years.
Aside from offering some sound and experienced advice to Gardner, Politis was also nudged at the meeting about the future of Pearce.
ANALYSIS: Should Pearce stay or go?
KENT: Pearce has only himself to blame
Newcastle are believed to be interested in Pearce should he walk away from Bondi. But Politis quickly stressed the Roosters halfback wasn’t available.
Pearce’s future at Bondi remains unclear though after halfback Cooper Cronk signed a two-year deal this week.
With still two years remaining on his contract, clubs are unable to officially approach Pearce unless the Roosters grant him permission to seek rival offers.
The Daily Telegraph understands Quayle gently asked Politis whether Pearce may come onto the open market. The answer was no.
The Pearce discussion arose toward the end of Tuesday’s three-man meeting.
Gardner took in the wisdom of Politis as Newcastle prepare to take a historic step into the future.
Quayle wouldn’t discuss his club’s rumoured interest in Pearce but did talk of Gardner’s meeting with Politis.
“Nick and I have together for 40-odd years,” Quayle told The Daily Telegraph. “No one has been longer in the game than Nick Politis.
“He has been at the Roosters since 1976 and chairman since the 1980s. Nick has seen it all.
“No one has run a club as long as him. For someone like Phil, who is now in the big league, it was great for Nick to meet him and be very open and frank.
“It was general discussion about Nick’s experiences. Advice from the longest-serving chairman in the game.
“As of (today), The Wests Group are 100 per cent owners of the Knights.”
Gardner will now help drive negotiations Newcastle engage in with potential recruits. Quayle is a former ARL chief executive while Gardner is on the board for nib Group.