Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Door open for Mitchell Pearce swansong at Roosters

They didn’t finish in the top four in 2021 but punters are obviously expecting better next year - much, much better. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS

NRL 2021 RD04 Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons - Mitchell Pearce NRL PHOTOS

The TAB is already reporting much interest on next year’s NRL premiership.

The Sydney Roosters have been best backed since the draw was released with 26 per cent of the money ahead of Storm (24 per cent), Panthers (14 per cent) and the Sharks (eight per cent). Interestingly the punters don’t want anything to do with Manly.

WHY PEARCE MAY NOT BE NRL DONE YET

Mitchell Pearce will be 34 years of age when he finishes in Catalans at the end of the 2023 season.

Cooper Cronk didn’t retire until he was 35. Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen were 37.

I asked Mitchell Pearce over the weekend if he had definitely played his last NRL game.

“I honestly don’t know,” he said, “I’m not going to close the door there.

“I’m fully committed to Catalans and I’m going over there hoping to win their first title.

“Who knows? Players are playing longer now.”

Mitchell Pearce may not have played his last NRL game. Picture: NRL Photos

Pearce is still closely attached to the Sydney Roosters where he played 11 seasons, won a premiership and three Jack Gibson medals as player of the year.

A Pearce farewell season has been mentioned amongst Roosters powerbrokers. A bit like when Sonny Bill Williams came back last year.

It’s a long way off and the Roosters are also mindful of looking after Sam Walker.

BILLIONAIRE BULLDOGS SPONSOR SUPPORTS RIVAL CLUB

Canterbury Bulldogs major sponsor, hotel billionaire Arthur Laundy, has been spotted having a coffee and meeting with the Wests Tigers’ new director of football Tim Sheens.

This would normally be of some concern to the Bulldogs with their biggest financial supporter being seen with such a significant figure from a rival club.

It turns out Laundy has been a long-time Wests Tigers supporter.

He has also struck up a recent friendship with Sheens.

“I was ringing Tim regularly while he was in England,” Laundy explained. “I was trying to help my good mate Aaron Woods get a start at the Wests Tigers.

“Woodsie went to the Dragons instead but we had some great chats on the phone and agreed we’d catch up when Tim got home. He’s a very impressive fella.”

Still, Laundy is a thousand percent committed to the Doggies.

He also recently caught up with general manager of football Phil Gould and has offered to assist in any way he can throughout the year.

Bulldogs sponsor Arthur Laundy is actually a Tigers fan. Picture: David Swift

HIGHLIGHT

Not everything has gone smoothly for the Penrith Panthers since the grand final but Saturday’s premiership parade was a proud day for a community club that acknowledges the loyalty of members and fans better than most.

LOWLIGHT

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie blaming the referee after losing to Wales to complete a forgettable and winless tour of Europe: “I thought some of the decision-making by the officials tonight was horrendous, and played a big part in the result.”

SHOOSH

One thing about Mitchell Pearce – apart from being a great player – is that he was always smart with his money. Pearce invested wisely in real estate and leaves the NRL owning four properties.

SHOOSH

It’s a tough business being an NRL player agent. Just ask the Orr brothers, Chris and Gavin. They have recently lost Broncos star Payne Haas, whose next contract will be worth more than $8 million. They’ve previously lost superstars Daly Cherry-Evans and Sonny Bill Williams to rival agents.

STEADY START

Channel 10 received a ratings pass mark for its first weekend of A-League. The Sydney derby got 146,000 viewers. But fans complained of a stack of technical problems, and it was flogged by the Supercars, which got 296,000 on Channel 7 and 157,000 on Fox Sports.

SPOTTED

Melbourne Storm import Nicho Hynes arrived for training at his new club the Cronulla Sharks a week before he was expected to start.

Mose Mosoe and family heading home.

SPOTTED

Mose Mosoe on his way home from England to settle back home in Australia with his beautiful young family. Mose suffered a career ending spinal injury in the UK Super League but his attitude in recovery has been an absolute inspiration to us all.

SPOTTED

Old Manly Sea Eagle and Kangaroo Rees Duncan celebrated a 70th wedding anniversary to his lovely wife Dorothy last week. This wonderful couple married at 19. The great Kenny Callander and his wife Helen also celebrated their 54th anniversary.

Originally published as Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Door open for Mitchell Pearce swansong at Roosters