Mitchell Pearce
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Mitchell Pearce | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 86 kg (13 st 8 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Halfback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 23 March 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mitchell Pearce (born 7 April 1989 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League. A representative for New South Wales in State of Origin, Pearce's position of choice is halfback.
Early and personal life
The son of former league international Wayne Pearce, Mitchell was born on 7 April 1989 in Sydney, New South Wales. Growing up in the North Shore suburb of St Ives, Pearce played soccer and tennis as a child before taking up rugby league at the age of 10.[1] [2][3] Pearce was also a successful runner in his childhood, and was the New South Wales 800m champion at ages 11 and 12.[1] He attended St Ives North Public School before attending high school at Barker College and later Marist College North Shore. A North Sydney DRLFC Junior with the Asquith Magpies, he captained the Australian schoolboys rugby league team, playing a vital role in the team's undefeated tour of France and England in 2006.[4]
Senior career
Debut season
At the age of 17, Pearce made his National Rugby League debut for the Sydney Roosters on 24 March 2007 against the North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium.[5] After only three First Grade appearances for the Roosters, Pearce's contract was extended by the club to until the end of the 2010 season.[6]
Pearce had a solid debut season, scoring 2 tries and registering 13 try assists.[7] Despite this, a back injury kept him out of the latter part of the season.[8] In an early career highlight, Pearce ran 80 metres to score a last-minute try, snatching victory for the Sydney Roosters against the Penrith Panthers in a 24-20 win on 16 June 2007.[9]
2008 season
Pairing Braith Anasta in the halves, Pearce had a strong start to the 2008 season. His performances in the early rounds were such that he was considered in the running for the New South Wales halfback position for the 2008 Rugby League State of Origin series.[10][2] Pearce's Origin chances were strengthened when he was named as starting half-back for the City Origin Team in the annual City vs Country Origin match.[11] In his senior representative debut, Pearce played a solid game, helping City to a 22-all draw with Country.[12] Pearce's Origin dream was finally realised when, on 24 June 2008, it was announced that he would replace the injured Peter Wallace as halfback for the NSW Blues against Queensland in the 2008 Origin Decider at ANZ Stadium on July 2.
External links
References
- ^ a b The Pearce legacy Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 June 2008
- ^ a b Pearce born to be a leader Fox Sports News. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Mitchell Pearce - Player Profile Sydney Roosters. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Unfazed Mitchell ahead of his time The Transcontinental. Retrieved 25 June 2008
- ^ Mitchell Pearce - profile NRL. Retrieved 11 March 2008
- ^ Roosters extend Pearce's contract Fox Sports News. Retrieved 11 March 2008
- ^ Mitchell Pearce statistics NRL Stats. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Pearce out for six weeks Sydney Roosters. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Rookies get Roosters home SportsAustralia.com. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Pearce firmly in Origin hunt Fox Sports News. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Pearce gets his chance in City-Country clash Live News. Retrieved 8 May 2008
- ^ Honours shared in City Country clash ABC News. Retrieved 8 May 2008