Trent Robinson makes a mistake.

[Rooster_6]

I havent read the article and Im not going to bag Robbo. But in all honesty Mitchell Pearce appears to be a protected species in most Rugby League circles Only today we have Daley not ruling him out of Origin selection.

I also fail to see how Pearce losing the Captaincy should have any bearing on the suspension handed out If anything they should come down on him harder not softening the suspension because he has already lost the captaincy As Captain he is meant to be a leader and portray the club in a positive light not bring ther club into disrepute It is absolutely ridiculous to think people are trying to use him losing the captaincy as being relavent to any suspension handed out

lol @ Pearce being a protected species.

The bloke had every Sydney paper and news station dedicated to him only a few weeks ago. I can't think of a more maligned player over the past decade watching the game. He has strong supporters but anyone who thinks he's protected are taking the piss.

[Tommy Smith]

Lol yep... whatever qualifies as the complete opposite of a 'protected species' in rugby league circles, that's Pearce.

If the overreaction to this situation wasn't bad enough then refer back to the 'yellow dress incident'. Surely the most overblown non event I can ever recall. And yet he was crucified. FFS I even heard some dumb media person the other day refer to the incident as when he 'groped' someone. They should be sued for defamation. Along with many more in the media for their concerted witch hunts of Pearce.

He's a drunken fool when he's had too much to drink. Nothing more.

Inglis in contrast is revered in league and media circles and yet he admitted to assaulting his gf.

Go figure. Where was that gumby man hater Catherine Lumby in calling for a lifetime ban then?

[mightyrooster]

I guess I must be more tolerant of this sort of behaviour (or maybe its become the norm) as I was more outraged with the reporting of the whole incident than what I was with what Pearce had actually done. I remember being alerted to it by somebody on Facebook and turned the TV over to the news where I was greeted by Josh Massoud saying that Mitchell Pearce had been filmed involved in an act with a dog that was so bad he couldn't mention the particulars on National TV.

My first thought was he's gone' full blown Monaghan' but actually taken it a step further and consummated the act. I was expecting to see a naked Pearce hunched over some poor pooch with mates cheering him on and laughing at his antics. I waited for the clip to be shown and when they finally did show it, it was a massive let down. I said to my wife 'where's the part that's so bad he can't even mention it. There must be more that they can't show.' But no, that was it.

Now was it a good look for Pearce, the club or the NRL? Definitely not! Was it the worst thing anybody has done? Definitely not. We now have people advocating that Pearce miss more game time then admitted drug cheats. Which is worse? Taking performance enhancing drugs or getting drunk and acting like a goose? I have heard people on talk back radio asking how they explain Pearce's actions to their kids? I would have thought it was quite simple. 'Hey little Johnny, he drank too much beer and he acted like a goose. He should not have picked up that dog and carried on like that, he shouldn't have tried to kiss that girl. That's what happens if you drink too much so as you get older let what he has done be a lesson to you.' I ask those people how did they explain to their kids that the NSW captain tried to cheat?

At the end of the day the NRL wants a 12 game suspension and the Roosters want 6 weeks. What's the correct penalty? I don't know. I certainly don't think what he did warrants sacking. Had this been Jake Friend would the same people be saying he's had his chances lets get rid of him? I don't think they would. Pearce has polarised opinion since he came on to the scene. He's taken over the mantle held by Braith and previously held by Finch. People feel he has been given a free ride because of his name. I think Pearce is a very good club footballer. He's not a great player and I don't think he ever will be. Whatever happens, I will continue to support him and the club.

Great post.

[mightyrooster]

Honestly Johnny, your Pearce hate has been so monotonous and boring that I no longer read your comments about him. The only reason I read this post is because you have labelled a great coach/man manager as possibly being a moron. I can't read the article but even if you were 100% correct and Robbo made a mistake then to label him a moron is diabolical. The positives that Robbo has brought to this club, including his incredible handling of the SKD matter, by far outweighs the 1 mistake (in your opinion) that he has made.
Past great footballers and media often comment on how they learn something new every time they listen to Trent Robinson speak. That is not a moron.

And another great post. Well said JC.