Week 3 — Preliminary Finals:
promising Newcastle junior into the eighth immortal — Pearce has refined his game. Composure and authority have replaced the erratic and inconsistent aspects of his play. Pearce’s running, passing and kicking game have all improved, as have his decision-making and defensive determination, but the challenge remains for him to maintain those standards and help guide the Roosters to back-to-back titles. Jamie Soward — Penrith Panthers The man most league fans love to hate continues to defy his critics as he drags the underrated Panthers to within touching distance of the Provan-Summons trophy.
Soward, 29, is in terrific form, with his pinpoint kicking, passing and organisational ability well in-synch with his running and ad-lib skills. Winners advance to the NRL grand final on October 5 Friday, September 26 Rabbitohs v Roosters ANZ Stadium, 9.55pm Saturday, September 27 Panthers v Bulldogs ANZ Stadium, 9.55pm Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters has been in the best form of his career of late.
His contribution to last week’s stunning 19-18 qualifying final win over the Roosters will live long in the memory and typified the ice-cool qualities of the 2010 Dragons premiership winner. Three goals and a wobbly but on-target field goal in the final minute got the Panthers home and put to bed the theory they were lame ducks after losing halfback and captain Peter Wallace to knee injury.
The former NSW Origin five-eighth has proven to be the buy of the season after Penrith supremo Phil Gould threw him an NRL lifeline late last year, following his acrimonious departure from St George-Illawarra.
A victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday would allow him the chance to cement his reputation as one of the best halves in the business, and give Penrith their first shot at grand final glory since 2003.
Write him off at your peril.