Why do people hate on Mitchell Pearce

[perverse]

I honestly dont care. SOO is such a f**king shit time of year these days. The papers go crazy, fans become idiots, and the beat up is absurd. I like the games, if i could have my way, the teams would get picked and everyone would just STFU about it and we'd just enjoy a good game

I dont have a dog in this race, the SOO thing gives me the shits. But blues fans thinking a change of halfback from Pearce to any other eligable NSW halfback, will result in a change of fortunes, are absolutely living in denial.

Pick Pearce, or dont pick Pearce. It doesnt matter and i dont really care. He's the best NSW has got IMO, and he's not good enough because the QLD team hosts the best 5 players in the world and 5-10 of the next best 20.

It's funny how when you did have horses in this race (Carney, Campo) that this wasn't your opinion at all.

 

[Shorty]

Could all these Pearce haters point to the NSW eligible half back who is better than Pearce?

It can't be Adam Reynolds, who is a flop even at club level. It can't be Carney who is a specialist five eighth and not even that impressive in that position these days.

Incidentally Pearce is one of the best defensive scrum halves in the NRL (unlike Carney and Reynolds) and the second fastest (behind Shaun Johnson) -- which is why his cover defence is so splendid.

If Mullen was given as many chances as Pearce has had NSW would have won a series by now.
Queensland has a dominant team that started it's decline like 2 years ago but NSW can't capitalize on a win because they have forwards with more play making ability than their halfback.

 

[ram raid]

I doubt anyone hates him. He's a solid player. Just not a rep level player imo.

This. I'm a qlder but I think he's a good player and not a lair. He's just not quite good enough for Oriin. He's probably the best that NSW have atm though.

Least NSW have Luke Brooks to look forward to.

 

[nick87]

It's funny how when you did have horses in this race (Carney, Campo) that this wasn't your opinion at all.

The last time i was genuinely passionate about SOO was about 5 years ago, other than that ive just basically been beating the drums for guys like Fergo and Dugan ( :lol: ) just for time to spare and because i felt they were the best selections.
The cavalcade of bullshit that goes on with it these days has completely sucked the passion from it for me.

You need only to look at the Interstate board today, and see normal, rational posters turn into raving lunatics to realise the entire thing is painful now. The papers peddle the shit and the public lap it up. You've got Gould talking about "....ORIGIN!!... plays" 10 weeks out from SOO.


It's all just a wank. And an increasingly boring and cringeworthy one at that.

FWIW - To your point about Raiders players involvement. It's baseless, in the 5 year period i've stopped giving a shit, the Raiders have had more horses in the race than when i was pulling for Carney and Campese, neither of which ever got a real run.
Where as Shillington, Papalii, Dugan, Ferguson all played recently and are/will (or in Fergo's case, should have) been long term SOO footballers.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

In the grand final Sir Mitchell Pearce pulled off the biggest play when we needed him the most that's all that matters.



Rep player he might not be. Kicking game of an under 14's player shows how mentally geniused you are. You should stick to arguing about AFL and TV ratings.

Awww didumms did I upset you by picking on Mythcell.
Awww .Go to the soccer forum & talk about who had the biggest DIVE on the weekend.
Mentally geniused .
I will leave that for the cheer squad of a player who has done nothing at rep level.

 

[neeknitsuj]

I'm happy to concede that Pearce is not great at origin level but can someone explain why Mullen would be a better choice? He hasn't really stood up in big games, what are his strengths? Doesn't seem like he has a spark either. Reynolds is just another Pearce, solid FGer at best, Carney deserves another shot, Maloney does not.

 

[perverse]

There aren't many better kicking games in the NRL than Mullens, both short and long. NSW could use that, for starters.

 

[Noname36]

Never mind

 

[some11]

You need only to look at the Interstate board today, and see normal, rational posters turn into raving lunatics to realise the entire thing is painful now. The papers peddle the shit and the public lap it up. You've got Gould talking about "....ORIGIN!!... plays" 10 weeks out from SOO.

It's all just a wank. And an increasingly boring and cringeworthy one at that.

Fast forward to Origin time, nick87 is glued to the TV watching NSW about to win.. he's screaming "TAKE THAT YOU QLD merkinS" :lol:

 

[Swarzey]

I'm happy to concede that Pearce is not great at origin level but can someone explain why Mullen would be a better choice? He hasn't really stood up in big games, what are his strengths? Doesn't seem like he has a spark either. Reynolds is just another Pearce, solid FGer at best, Carney deserves another shot, Maloney does not.

Pearce doesn't outweigh Mullen in any area except perhaps passing. His kicking game kicked teams to death last year, kept them grounded and made them work from their 10-20, arguably the best in the competition in that department. He hasn't had many big games so it's hard to say that he doesn't. To use his Origin match is just buying into how the media saw it, it wasn't spectacular but he was far from a flop.

The better question is why should he be denied at another crack? If we can rule Pearce, Reynolds and Maloney out, what rules Mullen out? There isn't enough to convince me and plenty to see it different. f**k, it's a stretch but had Mullen not injured his groin I don't think we would be having this discussion.

--------------

To the question and I don't hate Pearce. Brilliant first grader but he's had so many opportunities to play Origin that it's become sickening. Daley and selectors constantly say "We need consistency" but after such failure, how can they believe we need to remain consistent with problems?

What's to lose? NSW and fans have to wait another year if Mullen, Carney or really anyone else fails to get the job done? We're well adjusted to that at this point. A decade of dominance seems likely so again, what's to lose? Furthermore, what straw remains for them to clutch onto when it comes to Pearce if he fails to live up to the hype set by selectors? Last year it was Maloney "calming him down". Didn't work. This year it's "Grand Final winner". What's next? "He's more mature" or has that already been used.

I just want to see the most deserving blokes get the jumpers. Even if it isn't Mullen, we just need to try something new, give the opportunity to someone who's playing well enough to deserve selection.

 

[natheel]

Don't hate him just he has shown he isn't a rep level player. He has poor games for NSW series after series yet the players who get dropped are the blokes in the 6 jersey who were better than him.

 

[neeknitsuj]

Pearce doesn't outweigh Mullen in any area except perhaps passing. His kicking game kicked teams to death last year, kept them grounded and made them work from their 10-20, arguably the best in the competition in that department. He hasn't had many big games so it's hard to say that he doesn't. To use his Origin match is just buying into how the media saw it, it wasn't spectacular but he was far from a flop.

The better question is why should he be denied at another crack? If we can rule Pearce, Reynolds and Maloney out, what rules Mullen out? There isn't enough to convince me and plenty to see it different. f**k, it's a stretch but had Mullen not injured his groin I don't think we would be having this discussion.

.

I think the big issue is why hasn't Mullen had big games? If his kicking game is so good? He hasn't proven himself to be the best IMO like everyone's preaching him to be. Hes no Thurstom, Cronk or Cherry Evans

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

Pearce should be converted into a number 9, think he'll go slightly better there.

 

[Vic Mackey]

As most have said its not that he's hated. I have no doubts that he tries his best every game, he just isn't that good. Decent first grade half, not up to rep standard.

Soward and carney out performed him and could easily play 7 yet were both dumped and Pearce kept. Every year the cOach comes out before a ball is kicked and says he is the nsw 7. It's a complete joke.

The last 2 years the nsw pack has got on top of qld, even the lesser name backs have out played the Qlders. The losses have been entirely on the back of nsw's halves inability to make the most of this. Thurston/cronk need no invitation. If the halves were swapped nsw win the last 2 series with ease.

Yet he is still unquestionably picked every game.

 

[perverse]

I think the big issue is why hasn't Mullen had big games? If his kicking game is so good? He hasn't proven himself to be the best IMO like everyone's preaching him to be. Hes no Thurstom, Cronk or Cherry Evans

Never had a pack containing SBW, Cordner, JWH et al in front of him for starters. Rarely had a partner in crime (until recently) in the halves worth a pinch of shit, either. Never had the pleasure of Slater and Smith floating around him. Never had a single leg-up into anything since he was 19, actually.

He's had all the assets to be worth a second chance at Origin for a while now, and has really started to shine in the past 18 months or so.

To be honest though, he's not the only candidate worth a punt at this point - just give someone else a shot for gods sake... or at least don't proclaim before a ball has been kicked that your halves are already chosen. That's the worst part for mine... he's trying to build some sort of forced dynasty on the back of 12 or so mediocre performances. What incentive is there for other NSW halves? Origin selection can be a strong motivator for form. Daley sending a pretty shit message.

 

[Swarzey]

I think the big issue is why hasn't Mullen had big games? If his kicking game is so good? He hasn't proven himself to be the best IMO like everyone's preaching him to be. Hes no Thurstom, Cronk or Cherry Evans

His kicking game was half the reason he demolished the Dogs in the first week of the finals, it was still incredibly vital in Melbourne even though other areas of his game weren't nothing special. Hell, in that ass whooping against you lot he still shined in a 10 minute period. Those are big games and he still had decent to vital performances.

He hasn't proven himself to be the best because the best get the opportunities to do so. However, now that Newcastle have a side that can be highly competitive, he will get those opportunities more often, especially if we can have the luck the Roosters had last year injury wise.

Mullen ain't no Thurston, Cronk or Cherry Evens, but Pearce ain't no Mullen.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Some are asking who's better than Pearce.


Todd Carney is better. Infinitely better.



That's not to say Todd Carney is a world beater either. But he can play no.7 & he's easily better than Pearce.



Its a no f**kin brainer for mine.


Pearce has had so many shots at origin level and has done nothing. Its time to give someone with more raw talent a go.

 

[Springs]

I'm happy to concede that Pearce is not great at origin level but can someone explain why Mullen would be a better choice? He hasn't really stood up in big games, what are his strengths? Doesn't seem like he has a spark either. Reynolds is just another Pearce, solid FGer at best, Carney deserves another shot, Maloney does not.

It's not necessarily that he would be better, it's that he should be given a chance to show he is better after Pearce has had 12 games to do that and done nothing.
Carney is tons better than Pearce and Reynolds led the try assists last year and has got Souths to the finals 2 years straight with a great passing and kicking game, although I wouldn't be putting him over Carney or Mullen just yet.

I made a point in the Interstate thread that no other NSW half has ever had 11 straight games as half, let alone being given those games in a series we lost each time. Even great halves like Mortimer, Sterling, Alexander, Hasler and so were dropped after 2 or 3 losses. Even Joey was dropped for Kimmorley after failing to win in 98-99. So why should Pearce get so many chances?

 

[perverse]

It's not necessarily that he would be better, it's that he should be given a chance to show he is better after Pearce has had 12 games to do that and done nothing.
Carney is tons better than Pearce and Reynolds led the try assists last year and has got Souths to the finals 2 years straight with a great passing and kicking game, although I wouldn't be putting him over Carney or Mullen just yet.

I made a point in the Interstate thread that no other NSW half has ever had 11 straight games as half, let alone being given those games in a series we lost each time. Even great halves like Mortimer, Sterling, Alexander, Hasler and so were dropped after 2 or 3 losses. Even Joey was dropped for Kimmorley after failing to win in 98-99. So why should Pearce get so many chances?

Exactly. After 11 straight games as the #7 and no series wins, what ever happened to simply giving someone else a crack? The last 2 series have been winnable imo, and NSW have matched, or near enough, QLD in every other department. Even got over the top of them... but Pearce has failed, sometimes comically, to provide any sort of anything that could be considered a big play, particularly when it mattered. Sometimes we would have even settled for just a play at all.

Give another pair a crack. I think a fit Carney and Mullen is the best NSW have got. Both have good running games, Mullen is one of the best kickers in the comp and Carney is good with the boot. Both have great passing games before and at the line. One is right footed, one left. These 2 both deserve another chance at that level. Both are still young enough to play alongside each other for a while yet if they are winners.

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

I hate the fact that he couldn't get a single line drop out with nearly an all Australian forward pack. If I was Paul Gallen I would be tempted to clock him in the face after all the hard work him and the forwards do and see it be wasted on a useless kick.