Mitchell Pearce on fire in his happy place

Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce may had a traumatic off-season but was at best on the field against the Bulldogs.

Canterbury’s Adam Elliott of the Bulldogs is swamped by the Newcastle defence led by Tyson Frizell (right) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Picture: Getty Images.

Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce had a traumatic off-season and he seemed intent on taking it out on Kyle Flanagan when the two came together early in proceedings at McDonald Johns Stadium on Friday night.

Having collected Flanagan after he kicked the ball down field, Pearce then gave his opposition No.7 a gentle shove as the Canterbury half attempted to regain his feet. Flanagan looked bemused.

Pearce looked fired up. The Knights playmaker stepped down as captain during the off-season after his off-field shenanigans became an issue but it didn’t stop him leading Newcastle to a 32-16 win on Friday night.

The field is Pearce’s happy place and there was a beaming smile on his face at full-time. He and his team started the night on the back foot as Flanagan created a try for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

He finished it orchestrating a win that was made all the more impressive given the absence of Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) and a knee injury that forced Kurt Mann from the field in the first half.

Pearce didn’t let it affect his night. Having watched Watene-Zelezniak open the scoring, he initiated a response when he put Daniel Saifiti through a gaping hole in the first half — the Knights front rower was celebrating his 100th game for the club.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien said Saifiti did everything asked of him and more. “He has everyone’s respect. He leads the way, he has so much presence about him.’’

Pearce then controlled the second half as the Knights kicked off their season on a winning note. Flanagan had a decent night as well. Making his first premiership appearance for the Bulldogs following his off-season shift from the Sydney Roosters, he had three try assists including two in the first half, the first laying it on a platter for Watene-Zelezniak and the second sending Adam Elliott over.

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As hard as he tried though, it wasn’t enough. Pearce recently signed a one-year extension with the Knights, agreeing to a hefty pay cut at the end of an off-season marked by the decision to postpone his wedding.

“I thought he was excellent tonight. I thought he managed the game really well, he kicked well, he defende really well. He played like a guy that wanted to get out there for 80 minutes and rip in with his mates. I am really proud of him,’’ said O’Brien.

The word around the Knights was that Pearce had dusted himself off and focused on finding his best form. His performance on Friday night suggested it was time well spent. He will turn 32 next month, but there is still plenty of petrol in the tank.

Beyond the shove on Flanagan, he was at the heart of everyone positive for the Knights. So too were Saifiti and his front rower partner Dave Klemmer — the latter played all bar five minutes as he ran for 200 metres.

The Knights big boppers dominated the Bulldogs forward pack and Pearce did the rest. The Knights took an 18-10 lead into halftime and then dominated the second half as they returned with the bit between their teeth.

Saifiti had cruised over for his first try in the ninth minute and he added his second eight minutes into the second half when Jayden Brailey handed him a balloon passage to the line.

The Knights were up by 14 and Pearce wasn’t finished. A Watene-Zelezniak mistake gave him the chance to send Bradman Best over. It was becoming a smash-up as Trent Barrett’s bow as Bulldogs coach had a familiar feel about it for long-suffering Canterbury fans.

“The start was okay. We didn’t help ourselves at all. There are a lot of lessons there for them,’’ Barrett said.

Barrett was enthused by Flanagan’s debut for the club.

“I thought he was our best player. He tackled well. His kicking was really good, he had a hand in a couple of tries,’’ he said.