The pledge the NSW Blues promised Pearce the night before Game III
True Blue Mitchell Pearce was unfairly painted as the scapegoat for the NSW Blues during their long drought in the State of Origin arena but that changed in the blink of an eye when he threw that pass for Tom Trbojevic to set up one of the biggest moments in State of Origin history.
When James Tedesco planted the ball down for that historic series-winning moment, Pearce could be seen uncontrollably sprinting towards the Blatchys Blues at the northern end of ANZ Stadium with his finger in the air in a moment of pure euphoria.
He’d played seven series from 2008-2017 during Queensland’s era of dominance and had never known the joy of lifting the Shield. Having been overlooked for selection in 2018 due to injury, he could have also been forgiven for thinking his best chance might now be behind him.
The situation changed for the all-important decider last year when halfback Nathan Cleary was ruled out with an ankle injury he suffered in Game Two. The SOS went out for Pearce, who was called into camp to try and help the Blues win their first back-to-back series since 2005.
In the jersey presentation the night before, Pearce’s teammates promised they would do whatever it takes to get the win for him. Once the No.7 threw the imperative pass to Turbo, that’s exactly what they did.
Despite Tedesco - the best player in the world – winning the game for the Blues, it was Pearce who was on the back of the Daily Telegraph the next morning with the Shield finally in his hands.
Among the millions of NSW fans genuinely happy for Pearce was his Origin coach Brad Fittler, who cherished the opportunity to share his joy post-match.
“I’ve known, coached and watched and admired Mitchell Pearce for a long time now and to watch his State of Origin career has been a real tragedy in the fact that they had so many opportunities but couldn’t quite get there,” Fittler said in The Selection Part III.
“To be a part of that last try and the time I spent with Mitchell after the game is one of the highlights of my Rugby League career to see what he’s gone through.
“Just to be a part of that is something that I’ll carry forever.”
Fittler also revealed how close Pearce came to be featuring more in the series which saw NSW use three different halves combinations.
“We felt Mitchell out for the first game after the game where they beat the Roosters and he was a bit injured,” Fittler said.
“Also, for the second game to see how he was as well so on both occasions things just weren’t right.
“When Nathan Cleary couldn’t pass the medical in the last game it was a pretty awesome moment when I got the chance to ring Mitchell and ask him to come back for the last game on home turf.”