Mitchell Pearce

Mitchell Pearce (born 7 April 1989) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

In December 2005, Pearce, who was then 16 years old, was at a charity golf function in Queensland's Sunshine Coast when was attacked by a drunken Craig Gower, the Penrith Panthers captain.

Gower allegedly chased Pearce around the resort with a glass bottle before vomiting on him; Gower was also accused of manhandling and groping Pearce's older sister Tatum Pearce.

In Round 2 of the 2007 NRL season, Pearce made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the North Queensland Cowboys, starting at halfback in the 43–6 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Pearce finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 16 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Roosters in the 2007 NRL season.

On 2 May 2008, Pearce made his representative debut, playing for City Origin against Country Origin and starting at halfback in the 22–22 all draw at WIN Stadium.

On 2 July 2008, Pearce was selected to make his State of Origin debut for New South Wales, replacing the injured Peter Wallace in the Game 3 series decider match at ANZ Stadium.

The Blues were defeated 16–10 and lost the series.

Pearce later said, "In hindsight I wish I never played that early when I was 19 to 22. I definitely wasn't ready. As a halfback in Origin at 19, it was way too early. I probably developed some bad doubts from that period in those first few games. It's a daunting thing."

In Round 21 against the North Queensland Cowboys, Pearce scored his hattrick of tries in the Roosters 32–20 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Pearce finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing in 25 matches, scoring 7 tries and kicking 1 field goal for the Roosters.

In March 2009, Pearce extended his contract with the Roosters to the end to the 2013 season.

Pearce finished Roosters wooden spoon dreaded 2009 NRL season with him playing in all the Roosters 24 matches, scoring 8 tries and kicking 1 field goal.

After three First Grade appearances for the Roosters, Pearce's contract was extended by the club to the end of the 2010 season.

In Round 12 against the Newcastle Knights, Pearce scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 22–18 loss at Central Coast Stadium.

In Round 14 against the Penrith Panthers, Pearce scored an 80-metre try in the final minute from a loose carry from Panthers halfback Craig Gower, the man who previously drunkenly attacked Pearce 2 years prior and got the last laugh by scoring the try of his mistake to win the match for the Roosters 24–20 at Penrith Stadium.

Later into the season, Pearce was ruled out for 6 weeks to due a back injury and later in Round 23 onwards where he played off the interchange bench in last 3 matches.

Pearce regained the halfback spot for New South Wales in Game 2 of the 2010 State of Origin series, where they were beaten by Queensland 34–6 at Suncorp Stadium and lost the series in a fifth consecutive year.

Pearce also played in Game 3, where the Blues were beaten 23–18 at ANZ Stadium and were beaten in a whitewash 3–0 series loss.

Pearce would later be one of the main players to lead the Roosters who were last place wooden spooner's in the previous season to the 2010 NRL Grand Final against the St George Illawarra Dragons, as the Roosters made the finals on 6th place.

On 3 October 2010, Pearce started at halfback in the Roosters 32–8 defeat on the big day.

Pearce finished the 2010 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scored 9 tries for the Roosters.

On 6 May 2011, Pearce played for City Origin against Country Origin, playing at halfback in the 18–12 loss in Albury.

Pearce was selected to play at halfback in all 3 matches for New South Wales in their 2–1 series defeat in the 2011 State of Origin series.

Pearce scored his first Origin try in Game 1, where the Blues lost 16–12 at Suncorp Stadium.

Pearce finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches, scoring 3 tries and kicking 1 field goal.

On 25 September 2011, Pearce played for Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, playing at halfback in the 36–22 win in Lae.

On 22 April 2012, Pearce played for City Origin against Country Origin, playing at halfback in the 24–22 loss in Mudgee.

Pearce was selected to play at halfback in all 3 matches for New South Wales in their 2–1 series defeat in the 2012 State of Origin series.

In June 2012, Pearce was rumoured to leave the Roosters to join the Wests Tigers because a tough relationship with the Brian Smith over him being printed on the papers due to his party boy antics.

Pearce finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 10 tries.

He previously played for Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2013 NRL Grand Final and Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

Pearce has played for City Origin, New South Wales in the State of Origin series, the Prime Minister's XIII and the NRL All Stars side.

Pearce was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

He is the son of the ARL commissioner, former Balmain Tigers legend, New South Wales and Australian international Wayne Pearce.

He played his junior football for the Asquith Magpies and North Ryde Hawks.

Pearce attended and played rugby union for Barker College, before transferring to Marist Catholic College North Shore for his senior years, where he played league alongside his friend Kieran Foran.

Pearce would later be signed by the Sydney Roosters.

On 13 February 2013, Pearce extended his contract with the Roosters to the end of the 2017 season.

In Round 18 against the Penrith Panthers, Pearce played his 100th NRL career match in the Roosters 34–26 win at Sydney Football Stadium.