Roosters chairman defends Mitchell Pearce

[Johnny.]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/roo...-1226681594269


Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
July 18, 2013 7:35PM

ROOSTERS chairman Nick Politis has issued a passionate defence of Mitchell Pearce, claiming the Blues halfback is a victim of "honesty and innocence".

Upon watching Pearce shed tears after fulltime on Wednesday night, Politis contacted the Roosters playmaker from overseas to offer his full support.

The pair exchanged a series of text messages, followed by a long telephone conversation on Thursday.

After declaring NSW had to win to preserve his place in the side next year, Pearce has worn the brunt of criticism for the devastating 12-10 loss.

"I think it’s unfortunate and unfair," Politis said.

"It was his innocence and honesty that made those statements a couple of weeks ago.


Dejected Mitchell Pearce during Origin Game 3 NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons at ANZ Stadium.

"He got beaten up because of that.
"But as far as (the Roosters) are concerned, we're 100 percent behind him.

"Look at the facts. NSW weren’t thrashed – they were beaten by a penalty goal.

"And Queensland took their shot at penalty goal, when NSW declined to.

"In the end that was the difference. If it went the other way they’d be saying Mitchell was a hero."

Roosters forwards Sonny Bill-Williams, Jared Warea-Hargreaves and Frank-Paul Nuuausala also took to social media to defend Pearce, who faces a tough mental challenge to lift himself for Saturday night’s clash against Cronulla.

"Pearcey will want to get out there and prove himself," Politis said.

"He’s not the sort of guy who will be thinking, 'Maybe I should have a break and get my head right'.

"He was a bit down when we texted (on Wednesday night), but he was feeling better today.

"I think he will get back there next year.

"He’s still young and he knows what areas he has to improve."

[Guest]

Was at the game, Farah's numbers options were crap.. Pearce was better than Cronk in a losing side..

[TDK]

Whilst the criticism of Mitchell is way over the top, he needed to grab the game by the throat and strangle the life out of it. We had majority possession, filed position and were on top at critical stages but Mitchell couldn't make the difference that a SOO halfback should be able to do.

[Guest]

The consistent pressure put on him by media and now himself has got to him. I think the fact Man U players were in attendance prob added to pressure and anxiety he put on himself too.

[Guest]

The consistent pressure put on him by media and now himself has got to him. I think the fact Man U players were in attendance prob added to pressure and anxiety he put on himself too.

Hmmmmmm I quite like that, how you managed to work some Poms into why we lost SOO!

[Kingsgrove-Loiner]

The consistent pressure put on him by media and now himself has got to him. I think the fact Man U players were in attendance prob added to pressure and anxiety he put on himself too.

Yeah, that makes sense. Especially the fact that 90% of their team are from Europe, South America and Asia and they've never seen the game before.

[melon....]

The consistent pressure put on him by media and now himself has got to him. I think the fact Man U players were in attendance prob added to pressure and anxiety he put on himself too.

Throw a blue shirt on Van Persie and let him take over the kicking duties.

[Guest]

They are international sporting elite and self confessed league and origin fans. I think pressure and performance anxiety is a big part of what gets to Pearce for origin. The weight of expectation and judgrment from the media, coaching staff, players fans etc has proved to be big for him.

[Arties Pie]

I don't think Pearce needs excuses as to why his 5th tackle options were poor he has been that way for us for a long time that grubber
in the game is a perfect example of his short kicking skills, you can't blame him if the selectors keep on selecting him to play.

[Guest]

Mark Bouris has also written a nice open letter to Mitchell Pearce.

Hey Mitch,

I am very proud of you, mate. I am proud because you played your heart and body to exhaustion like you do every week. I am proud of you because you committed publicly to you team mates and those you represent without worrying about the consequences of losing. That was a risk and you are now bruised from it . It's the same as the way you play, you will commit to defend and attack whoever is in front of you and take the consequences later. Not many do that.

I am proud of you because you will back up and do it again this week and won't complain. You, as usual will dust yourself off, regather and lead your team mates around the field and lead by example.

You see, footy, indeed life, is not just about the skill of ‘can I kick on a sixpence?’ or ‘can I land every pass where I want it?’. That's just dressing. It's really about courage, endurance, attitude, the ability to back up, strength of character and leadership. That’s right, it’s ultimately about character. That very essence of humanity. That fundamental element that makes some rise above the rest. You have been endowed with more than most and practice it every day. Indeed, there is hardly a player ever at Origin level who doesn’t have a load of it. You have more than most. All of which you display every week, every training session and it walks along side of you even when you walk in a room. I know because I have experienced that when you walk into my company.

Your family is proud of you, your Club is proud of you and most of all – your teammates are proud of you. I saw the messages from Sonny and Jared and Frank-Paul and son I tell you what, I rarely get emotional but that solidarity off the field really charged me up and tells me you have respect from the highest levels.

So remember, when all around you seems to be buzzing and some begrudgers are bagging you the only ones that count are your family and your footy family . In your case that's an army of people and one that is unbeatable!
Thanks for being an inspiration to me today Mitchell.

Regards,

Mark Bouris

Mark Bouris is a Director of the Sydney Roosters

http://www.roosters.com.au/news-disp...l-Pearce/79800

[Cockadoodledoo]

Is it just me or is all this public support for Pearce going to add more pressure too him? I would prefer if these people just picked up the phone and had a chat to him or did it over lunch. I think he needs less media pressure of any type than more.

[007]

Is it just me or is all this public support for Pearce going to add more pressure too him? I would prefer if these people just picked up the phone and had a chat to him or did it over lunch. I think he needs less media pressure of any type than more.

Have to agree with this. It's getting a bit over the top I reckon, almost to the point of patronisation. There were 16 other players out there that night, where's the blame/support on/for them? And I don't think there are many 'I's in Pearce. So he may not be up to origin standard (yet) but there are a lot worse players running around the football field.

Time to move on, put the Sharks to bed and consolidate our place in the top four. I think Pearce will have a cracker Saturday night, even if he doesn't, as long as the Chooks win then that will do me.

[Guest]

I kind of like the fact he has not spoken to the media. Every year they write the same story and ask the same questions about him at origin. I just think he needs to stop talking and just play footy, forget what happened and enjoy his footy

[Guest]

Mark Bouris has also written a nice open letter to Mitchell Pearce.



http://www.roosters.com.au/news-disp...l-Pearce/79800

Says a lot about the culture of the club on and off the field from Nick and Mark at the top of the club through to the players support to each other and the demonstration of faith that Trent, Craig and JT have shown to a number of individual players during the season. The rewards for the support shown to these players is really starting to show as we head into the back end of the season.

Club culture is something that can't be manufactured it needs leadership and buy in from current and past players and it is one of those intangible things that once its established its builds great resilience that can see us through these tough moments. This is the sort of leadership culture that our great club's membership looks for when one of ours needs us to have his back. The players will be there behind Mitch as will I and I would think the supporters of the club on Saturday. Nice one Nick and Mark.

[Guest]

Not all of our supporters will be cheering on young Mitchell Pearce. There are a few members of this website that take great pleasure in seeing him underperform.