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Can a leopard change his sport, Mitch is definatly trying !
Pearce back to rule the roost
By Andrew Webster
From: The Daily Telegraph March 13, 2010 12:00AM
MITCHELL Pearce doesn't want this to be another story about the Roosters' revolution. He also doesn't want one about him turning his life around, either.
This much-vaunted new dawn at the Roosters will account for nothing if they don't carve out the wins, starting with bitter neighbouring rivals South Sydney at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.
Yet it is an undeniable fact that Pearce - the 20-year-old halfback - has transformed after eyeballing just how bad life can be. His trial form has bedazzled many so far. He's already being touted as a potential NSW No. 7 for State of Origin.
Stop right there, he would say. "We've got a goal of winning the comp - not a few trial games," he says.
More telling is that Pearce is prepared to talk about the root of his troubles last year: alcohol.
"I don't think I was hitting it too hard," he said. "I never had a problem or anything like that, just a beer after the game ... but it's been nine weeks now, since Christmas, that I've had a beer.
"I don't miss it too much. I always enjoy going out and having a good time with my mates. But it's been good to have some balance. I'm not as erratic. I'm not against it - I can't wait to have a beer. But it's good to make some sacrifices."
According to those at the Roosters, Pearce needed to make them.
He never struck the same sort of trouble as some of his teammates last year, but he was certainly in the same postcode.
He was alongside sacked hooker Jake Friend and teammate Sandor Earl at Tank nightclub in The Rocks when a fight broke out and the niece of ABC Radio commentator David Morrow alleges she was hit. Friend and Earl are still facing assault charges over the incident.
Roosters officials had more than stern words with their young playmaker about the dangerous territory he was traversing.
Full credit to him - because he's listened. Many others don't take the hint.
Asked if he has realised he isn't bulletproof, he says: "One hundred per cent. Freddy [former coach Brad Fittler] used to talk to us about diet and alcohol. It doesn't click until you do it yourself. I'm proud of myself that I've done that this year. I put my weight on and changed my off-field stuff and be more responsible."
Consequently Pearce appears ready to pick up the pieces of his career, which had started so well but stalled last season.
Good judges are already talking about the combination he's forming with roaming fullback Todd Carney.
Lately it's hard to hear about one without the other being mentioned.
"Last year I would've liked to have gone better. I felt I was making good improvement before that," he said. "I still worked hard and tried to be a better footballer. You don't go out there to lose.
"But there are parts of my game that I know I have to improve. I'm harsher on myself than most people anyway. But it's not acceptable to have a bad year."
Should the Roosters beat the Bunnies tomorrow, will Pearce enjoy a beverage in celebration?
"I've got my 21st coming up in four weeks," he says with a grin. "We've got a Friday night game so hopefully we'll have a big win - then a big Saturday night."
As those who make sacrifices are entitled to.
By Andrew Webster
From: The Daily Telegraph March 13, 2010 12:00AM
MITCHELL Pearce doesn't want this to be another story about the Roosters' revolution. He also doesn't want one about him turning his life around, either.
This much-vaunted new dawn at the Roosters will account for nothing if they don't carve out the wins, starting with bitter neighbouring rivals South Sydney at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.
Yet it is an undeniable fact that Pearce - the 20-year-old halfback - has transformed after eyeballing just how bad life can be. His trial form has bedazzled many so far. He's already being touted as a potential NSW No. 7 for State of Origin.
Stop right there, he would say. "We've got a goal of winning the comp - not a few trial games," he says.
More telling is that Pearce is prepared to talk about the root of his troubles last year: alcohol.
"I don't think I was hitting it too hard," he said. "I never had a problem or anything like that, just a beer after the game ... but it's been nine weeks now, since Christmas, that I've had a beer.
"I don't miss it too much. I always enjoy going out and having a good time with my mates. But it's been good to have some balance. I'm not as erratic. I'm not against it - I can't wait to have a beer. But it's good to make some sacrifices."
According to those at the Roosters, Pearce needed to make them.
He never struck the same sort of trouble as some of his teammates last year, but he was certainly in the same postcode.
He was alongside sacked hooker Jake Friend and teammate Sandor Earl at Tank nightclub in The Rocks when a fight broke out and the niece of ABC Radio commentator David Morrow alleges she was hit. Friend and Earl are still facing assault charges over the incident.
Roosters officials had more than stern words with their young playmaker about the dangerous territory he was traversing.
Full credit to him - because he's listened. Many others don't take the hint.
Asked if he has realised he isn't bulletproof, he says: "One hundred per cent. Freddy [former coach Brad Fittler] used to talk to us about diet and alcohol. It doesn't click until you do it yourself. I'm proud of myself that I've done that this year. I put my weight on and changed my off-field stuff and be more responsible."
Consequently Pearce appears ready to pick up the pieces of his career, which had started so well but stalled last season.
Good judges are already talking about the combination he's forming with roaming fullback Todd Carney.
Lately it's hard to hear about one without the other being mentioned.
"Last year I would've liked to have gone better. I felt I was making good improvement before that," he said. "I still worked hard and tried to be a better footballer. You don't go out there to lose.
"But there are parts of my game that I know I have to improve. I'm harsher on myself than most people anyway. But it's not acceptable to have a bad year."
Should the Roosters beat the Bunnies tomorrow, will Pearce enjoy a beverage in celebration?
"I've got my 21st coming up in four weeks," he says with a grin. "We've got a Friday night game so hopefully we'll have a big win - then a big Saturday night."
As those who make sacrifices are entitled to.
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