Mitchell Pearce should walk… today

I'm sure it'll be a shock to none, but Cooper Cronk has officially signed a massive two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters for 2018 and 2019.

The signing has absolutely torn social media down the middle, with half stating it's a massive signing for the tri-colours, while the other half cannot believe so much has been invested in a player with only two seasons left in his career.

Straight up, any club in the NRL except perhaps the Cowboys would jump on Cronk if he were available. Anyone who says otherwise is full of it.

He and Thurston are neck and neck in terms of being the game's best halfback. For mine it's Thurston, but I won't argue too hard against those in favour of the former Storm superstar.

The Roosters would be silly not to sign a man who has dominated all before him, except Chad Townsend on October 2nd, 2016, and will likely continue to do so for the rest of his career.

For Cronk himself, the move makes total sense. Big money deal, successful team, level-headed coach. Glamour location. Perfect.

The reason fans are questioning the decision is due to what it may cost the Roosters in the long run; that being a potential five or six-year superstar.

If all the media talk is to be believed, and in this case where there's smoke, there's fire, it looks as though current New South Wales halfback Mitchell Pearce will be the one who will make way to accommodate Cronk.

Luke Keary, reportedly in talks to extend his deal at Bondi, and club captain Jake Friend are the other two being mentioned, as simply put, four does not go into three.

If it does turn out to be Pearce who is relegated, and despite media attempts to frame it as a 'super sub' role, it is a relegation, Mitchell Pearce should walk out of Bondi ... today!

I've made no attempts to hide my dislike for Michell Pearce when it comes to Origin football. I make no apologies for this and will be equally annoyed if he's given yet another chance to fail in next year's series, but as a club footballer, few have done more for the Roosters than Pearce.

He's had his moments off the field, some incidents funnier than others, but on the field, he has been among the Roosters best for how many years now?

Just earlier this year he re-signed with the Roosters until the end of 2019. By all rights, it looked as though Pearce would be a one-club player.

How things can change ...

Roosters fans seem split here, but most agree that Pearce, under contract, should ultimately do as he's told by Trent Robinson. The Roosters would be well within their rights to move him to the bench. He's not owed anything, and while under contract, and a big contract at that, he's under the instruction of Robinson.

That said, if Pearce doesn't stand up and all but demand to be released from his contract, well then I don't know what to think.

He signed earlier this year under the impression that he would be the Roosters main man for the next two seasons, at very least.

The Roosters, in essence, jumped at a better offer when it was available, and Pearce suffers as a result. It's the business, but it doesn't make it right for Pearce.

Reports are that the Sea Eagles are looking for a half to complement Cherry-Evans, thus allowing Blake Green to move across the Tasman to play for the Warriors.

The Knights are in need of a marquee half. Even the Sharks don't look settled in their halves.

There are plenty of options available. Sides screaming out for a premiership-winning halfback with all the tricks.

Pearce has a chance to really cement himself here.

He either sticks tight, plays off the bench, and accepts being seen as second best, or he stands up, backs himself and proves everybody wrong.

The third option is he does that, the Roosters turn it down and he's lost stock at Bondi. Right now though, I think it's worth the risk, and I can't see Robinson standing in his way.

If Pearce does come out swinging and backs himself in the biggest possible way, I never thought I'd say this, he'd certainly have a big fan in me.