Mitchell Pearce

It was the Mitchell Pearce show in tonight’s Friday night football, with the NSW halfback answering his critics with a dominant display – scoring three tries in the Roosters win over the Dragons, at Allianz Stadium.

Whilst it was the Pearce show in attack, the game very nearly did not go the way of the hosts, as they saw back Joseph Leilua sent to the sin-bin, in a period that resulted in two Dragons tries.

The game was there for the taking for the Dragons, but it was their execution that let them down on many occasions – the final ball lacking for the St George club, with 2 tries being denied due to forward passes.

It was only a last minute run from young gun and highly rated youngster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, that sealed the Roosters win – although there was a heap of controversy about the win, as to whether or not he had grounded the ball in his own in-goal, before the big run.

Roosters coach Brian Smith, was full of praise for both Sheck, as well as Pearce – saying he has never seen someone run that fast before.

“I just called him Usain – it’s the fastest we’ve seen him move for a while,” Smith said.

“He was right on the ball all night. I think most of us underestimate how hard it is.

“I watched plenty of guys over the years who have played for me and for other clubs. The aftermath of Origin is immense.

“Players are shattered physically and mentally and he is only just working out how to deal with it.”

Dragons coach Steve Price was critical of his side’s poor errors and fundamental mistakes, and thought that it was his side that granted the Dragons the win.

“They were there to be beaten,” Price said.

“But through our lack of execution at times, we had two forward passes that could’ve led to tries if we executed them properly.”

By ricky

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