PEARCE TO PURSUE A CATALANS CONTRACT
MITCHELL Pearce will request a formal release from the final year of his contract at Newcastle within the next 48-hours.
The former NSW Origin and premiership-winning halfback has made the decision to end his NRL career and move to France on a threeyear deal with Catalans.
Pearce, 32, believes that after 15-years of first grade his body is no longer up to the rigours of week-to-week NRL football.
Pearce managed 12-matches in 2021, his season blunted by a torn pectoral that sidelined him between rounds five and 14.
As first revealed by The Daily Telegraph last August, Catalans want Pearce to replace champion half James Maloney, who retired following the Super League grand final a fortnight ago.
Maloney and Sam Moa - who won the 2013 grand-final with Pearce at the Roosters and both of whom spent several seasons with Catalans - have been major conduits to the pursuit of the 309-game veteran.
The Knights will need to release Pearce from the final year of his 2022 contract in order for him to join Catalans.
The release comes with advantages for the Knights, who will free-up more than $600,000 in their salary cap prior to November 1.
Before a final decision is made, Newcastle management - particularly coach Adam O’brien - will want clarity from his recruitment staff on who is available on the open market - and who within the club can fill the void of Pearce.
Kalyn Ponga, Jake Clifford, Adam Clune, Kurt Mann, Phoenix Crossland, Simi Sasagi will emerge as options
should Pearce be granted his release.
Promising fullback Bailey Hodgson would be a front runner to take over the no1 jumper if Ponga is shifted to the halves.
Adding weight to Pearce’s move to Catalans is the comments of close confidant and Knights legend Andrew Johns.
Johns commented last month in the wake of The Telegraph’s article that moving to France would be a timely move for Pearce.
“I think that’d be a great opportunity for him,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“Catalans offering him a two-three year deal... south of France, anonymous, weekends off, fly into wherever - it takes you half an hour to an hour to fly all over Europe.
“Less eyes on him, faster more open game.
“I think if he decides to go, I think Catalans would be a great fit for him.”