‘This is the next phase of my life’: Pearce says au revoir to Knights

After 15 years in the NRL, Mitchell Pearce knew deep down that the only way he would remain mentally motivated for success was to quit Newcastle and the NRL and pursue a dream opportunity “outside my comfort zone” on the other side of the world.

The Knights officially cut ties with Pearce on Monday, which allowed the halfback to sign a two-year deal with the Catalans Dragons with a third year in his favour.

Pearce, 32, has enjoyed some down time on the NSW south coast and was happy enough to stop being paid this month until the Knights could plot their next move.

The Knights are all but resigned to missing out on Luke Brooks from the Wests Tigers as Pearce’s replacement, while Scott Drinkwater also appears little chance of switching from Townsville to the Hunter. For the record, Pearce said Brooks would thrive at Newcastle behind a good pack and with the change of scenery.

Pearce said last year was especially difficult for him. It started with the breakdown of his engagement to fiancee Kristin Scott, then a few rare niggling injuries which he barely suffered with during his 309-game NRL career.

“I said to the Knights, ‘you get to an age where you need to find what gives you that fire in the belly’,” Pearce told the Herald.

“For me, I had a pretty draining year last year. It was very public with my cancelled wedding, which was a horrible time for a lot of people.

Mitchell Pearce is officially off to France.Credit: NRL Photos

“I tried to pull through it and look forward. Then I started to have a few niggling injuries.

“When this opportunity came up with Catalans, this chance for me to try something new, it was something that stimulated me straight away.

“The Knights understood that. They were great about it. And I truly hope they can do something special next year.

“This is going to be a big move for me. I’ve never really travelled, but the fact I’ll be out of my comfort zone was another part of my decision. I’ve been in the NRL since I was 17. It’s been about routine.

“This is the next phase of my life. I’m going to France and I want to win a title, that’s the goal.”

Pearce is expected to catch up with his Knights teammates in the coming weeks before making the move before Christmas.

Catalans coach Steve McNamara was an assistant at the Sydney Roosters when the club won the 2013 premiership with Pearce and made a point of telling a few of the players at the time to look him up at the back end of their careers if he was coaching in the Super League.

James Maloney did just that – now his good mate Pearce will follow suit.

Pearce said Maloney and Sam Moa, who is also in the south of France, did not pressure him about the move and were honest about their own experiences. Catalans are in the premiership window, and less emphasis on defence will help Pearce’s body.

As for how he would reflect on his time in the NRL, Pearce said: “It’s been a lot of fun. I’m so grateful I’ve been able to do what I love. I’ve had the highest of highs, had a few off-field things take place, but I’ve played over 300 games and made some lifelong friends. As I’ve got older you learn to appreciate people a lot more – there will be friendships that still exist long after I’ve finished playing.”

Pearce is convinced the Knights can do something special and Brooks would have been an ideal fit, which is what Andrew Johns, the eighth Immortal who has been lured back to the club, told The Sun-Herald last week.

“Getting him out of his own comfort zone and playing behind a good pack will bring the best out of him,” said Pearce, whose jersey is likely to be contested by Adam Clune, Phoenix Crossland and Jake Clifford.

Brad Fittler, who coached Pearce at the Roosters and NSW, said he could be proud of his career, but “his tank has just about run dry in Australia, and this will be an awesome opportunity”.

Pearce’s famous father, Wayne, was excited for his son’s next move, and after 15 years in the “NRL bubble”, not to mention the extra spotlight that comes with being a playmaker, had taken its toll.

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