The Curious Case Of Mitchell Pearce

[Spanner in the works]

I'd like him to keep it really simple. Run to the line, draw a defender or three, short ball to the steaming prop. Pass long on to an angled Aubusson or FPN. Kick early - second, third or fourth tackle for either the corners or for the sideline. Use decoy runners. Etcetera etcetera etcetera. No need to make it too hard for yourself. Use your kicking game especially so the game runs under your terms not theirs.

[Guest]

Smith's coaching style has rarely, if ever, relied on a single player.

You look at all the teams he has coached. Not one has had a standout player like Johns, Fittler, Lockyear etc.

Last year he had one. Carney was the difference between coming 12th and 6th in the minor premiership.

He got us going in the semi against the Tigers with a chip and chase and then a break to put Pearce over. We were dead and buried before that.

Smith's teams always play with skill and guile. I am very surprised at our lack of punch, even without Carney.

Perhaps we must accept some of our players aren't as good as we hope.

The second try you refer to was set up by a Friend dummy half run, not a Carney break.

In regard to Pearce, he is a 21 year old halfback playing with significant disruption at the 6.

Now that the off field shit has been dealt with we will start to find a groove on the field. It is only the shit results in the first 6 weeks that has everyone so dirty about losing to Saints on the weekend - we put in a strong performance but couldn't get over the top of them - same as the last few years against Saints.

We will not win the comp but we will make the eight and Pearce will continue to improve - he is too talented and works too hard for it to be any other way.

[Guest]

What if this is the answer?

1 Linnett/Perrett (when healthy)
2 JCrew Carney/Linnett
3 Pearce
4 BJ
5 SKD
6 Friend
7 Carney

Before I get pilloried, I think Skd would cut it as winger as he swaps with B.J. a lot anyway. And I'll state again, Pearce will be a good defensive centre because he's been shown to have little or nothing in the way of halfback skills.

PIM, I generally love your work on this forum but you will be made to look silly over this Pearce for centre campaign.

He is class and is on track for the career that everyone has been talking about. You can't put an old head on young shoulders but he is talented and hard working and will continue to improve into a top class halfback.

[Vasco]

The second try you refer to was set up by a Friend dummy half run, not a Carney break.

In regard to Pearce, he is a 21 year old halfback playing with significant disruption at the 6.

Now that the off field shit has been dealt with we will start to find a groove on the field. It is only the shit results in the first 6 weeks that has everyone so dirty about losing to Saints on the weekend - we put in a strong performance but couldn't get over the top of them - same as the last few years against Saints.

We will not win the comp but we will make the eight and Pearce will continue to improve - he is too talented and works too hard for it to be any other way.

He hit the hole though.

[Guest]

He hit the hole though.

True. My point is that if Carney gets right we have the best young 6, 7 and 9 in the comp.

[Guest]

PIM, I generally love your work on this forum but you will be made to look silly over this Pearce for centre campaign.

He is class and is on track for the career that everyone has been talking about. You can't put an old head on young shoulders but he is talented and hard working and will continue to improve into a top class halfback.

As much as I'd like to say it was late when I wrote that, I'm not going to cop out. I just don't think Mitch will ever be a big game player. Much like Soward, he's not got the next step up in his game, which is why talk of them being STOOL halves is foolish (but coming from Ricky Stuart, I am not surprised.) Mitch can tackle, run reasonably fast and pass alright, which is what a centre does.

He's a Rooster and if he stays a Rooster, I'll support him.

And I hope I'm dead wrong about him.

[Vasco]

True. My point is that if Carney gets right we have the best young 6, 7 and 9 in the comp.

No question there mate.

Pity we can't make it the full package with the no.1.

[Geohood]

No question there mate.

Pity we can't make it the full package with the no.1.

That could change soon? If not next year?

[Guest]

He looks to be trying too hard and thinking too much in my opinion. I remember a pass Pearce threw last year that I'm pretty sure Joey blew his load over. Watching him then he didn't look to be trying too hard. He's done stuff like that multiple times where he has looked super relaxed and like he wasn't thinking too much about it. I'd really like to see Friend take some of the pressure off him actually. Just some kicking out of dummy half, the occasional run and some play making chucked in for good measure.

I believe you hit the nail on the head there, watch when a thinking player player such as Thurston goes to the line, he goes in slowly, summing up where the defensive players are standing while figuring if he needs to pass sort, long, cut out pass or dummy to beat the defensive line, Pearce on the other hand usually just passes the ball, if or when he does go to the line his eyes bug, his teeth show and his face turns into a snarling grimace, like he's going to run over the opposition players. Pearce needs to put a lot more thinking into being a playmaker as he otherwise plays a very solid game. I dont see Friend as a playmaker, least not at the moment. Riddell is a clever player around the ruck but lacks condition.

[Guest]

Riddells jumpers look a bit baggy around the middle

is he losing some weight?

[Guest]

Riddells jumpers look a bit baggy around the middle

is he losing some weight?

I was wondering why Oportos was having financial difficulties, now I know.