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James Maloney backs former teammate Mitchell Pearce to return to NRL

FORMER Sydney Rooster James Maloney believes the Mitchell Pearce drama was blown out of proportion and backed his ex-teammate to return to the NRL.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters is congratulated by James Maloney after scoring a try during the round 13 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on June 8, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters is congratulated by James Maloney after scoring a try during the round 13 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on June 8, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

FORMER Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney believes the Mitchell Pearce drama was blown out of proportion and backed his ex-teammate to return to his best in the NRL this year.

Pearce’s rugby league career remains in limbo as he addresses alcohol problems at an overseas rehabilitation clinic following his lewd Australia Day antics.

The NSW State of Origin No. 7 has already missed his club’s World Club Series trip to England, and is almost certain to draw a heavy fine as well as the loss of the captaincy.

A tearful Mitchell Pearce at the press conference he called days before leaving Australia for rehab. Picture: Adam Yip
A tearful Mitchell Pearce at the press conference he called days before leaving Australia for rehab. Picture: Adam Yip

But the biggest punishment for being recorded drunk and simulating sex with a dog is the likelihood of a lengthy suspension, topping off a fallout that Maloney believes was bigger than it needed to be.

“I completely understand the fact that it’s unacceptable and it’s a bad look for the game, but I also think people get a bit carried away when someone with a profile stuffs up,” Maloney told AAP.

“I think perspective goes out the window a little bit and it becomes a bigger story than what the incident probably was.”

Both the NRL and the Roosters have refrained from making a final punishment until Pearce returns to the country, but Maloney, who departed Bondi to join Cronulla over the summer, was confident Pearce would make a successful comeback to the game.

“I know Mitch is overseas sorting himself out and getting himself right. That’s good to see and to be honest, I can’t wait for him to come back and be playing some good footy for the Roosters,” he said. “He’ll be back in no time.”

For now, the Roosters will rely on rookie pivot Jayden Nikorima to partner another promising youngster in Jackson Hastings in the most inexperienced halves pairing in the competition.

James Maloney has moved on to the Sharks for 2016 but knows Mitchell Pearce from his years as a Rooster very well.
James Maloney has moved on to the Sharks for 2016 but knows Mitchell Pearce from his years as a Rooster very well.

Add in long-term injuries to Boyd Cordner (pectoral) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee), and coach Trent Robinson could be in for a difficult start to the year.

“Yeah, they’ll be quite light on early in the season, but they had a good performance in the World Club Series, they’ve got a really good coach, and they’ve never been side that hasn’t got enough talent on the roster,” Maloney said.

“They’ll be right.”

Originally published as James Maloney backs former teammate Mitchell Pearce to return to NRL

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/nrl/james-maloney-backs-former-teammate-mitchell-pearce-to-return-to-nrl/news-story/6404c497c0a66e65a766dccf55a4e6de