Mitchell Pearce’s dog act: Why Queenslanders want Mitchell Pearce to keep playing

CALLS for Mitchell Pearce to be kicked out of the NRL are ringing loud and clear around the rugby league community, but Queenslanders shouldn’t be so vocal. We want him to stay.

Will Chambers scores and Johnathan Thurston gives it to Mitchell Pearce during State of Origin game 3 between Queensland and NSW at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Pics Adam Head

QUEENSLAND is set to lose its 18th man, one of the key players in the Maroons’ decade of dominance, Mitchell Pearce.

The Roosters are not the only team hurting today after Pearce’s drunken Australia Day antics put his successful NRL career on the chopping block.

It has also thrust NSW back into contention to win a series if Pearce is unavailable for selection.

Pearce has won just four of the 15 Origin matches he has played in.

SHAME: World reacts to dog act

For years he has been a whipping boy for Queensland fans who have revelled in his poor Origin performances.

The six series Pearce has featured in have all resulted in losses for the Blues.

He was overlooked for the 2014 series after that incident with the “woman in the yellow dress” and NSW snapped Queensland’s eight-straight record that year with Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds in the halves.

Will Chambers celebrates a try as Johnathan Thurston mouths off at Mitchell Pearce during an Origin encounter. Picture: Gregg Porteous

While he has been a class player at NRL level, becoming the youngest player in history to play 200 first-grade games last year, Pearce’s success hasn’t transferred to the representative arena.

Pearce provoked Queensland to their record victory in last year’s Game Three thrashing.

THE VIDEO: Pearce shamed in drunken Australia Day party video

Pearce had taunted Queensland players in the Blues’ Game Two victory, repeatedly telling them they were too old and rehashing clichéd insults. Queensland players used those barbs as motivation for Game Three.

As the Maroons piled on a record scoreline of 52-6, Johnathan Thurston returned serve.

Then Maroons assistant coach Kevin Walters recounted what Thurston said.

“What he said to him was ‘You’re the worst halfback NSW have ever seen at Origin level’ and he said ‘If you want to touch the shield, your best chance is to go up and touch the Wally Lewis statue out the front of the stadium’.”

The Blues could be forced to turn to young Panthers utility Matt Moylan or recall Jamie Soward.

At least those two players won’t be foolish enough to provide inspiration to champion competitors like Thurston.

Originally published as Mitchell Pearce’s dog act: Why Queenslanders want Mitchell Pearce to keep playing