Details emerge of lead-up to Pearce's 'despicable' act
Further details have emerged about the hours before Roosters star Mitchell Pearce engaged in lewd and disgraceful behaviour at a party on Australia Day.
The Origin star has apologised for making advances on a woman, simulating a lewd act with a dog and allegedly urinating on himself and on a couch.
As the fallout continues 24 hours after the story broke, 7 News can also reveal that the club has decided to order Pearce into rehab should he avoid the sack.
But the day had started on a much different note with a club-sanctioned harbour cruise.
The group then moved to the Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay, which is a regular haunt for the team and has hosted Mad Monday parties in the past.
The pub's manager said the Roosters were always welcome there and that the invitation remained open after Tuesday night.
All players were said to have been well-behaved when they left the premises at 11.30pm.
It was the next stop that could lead to the termination Pearce's career: a nearby apartment with a group of people they had met at the pub.
At least four teammates joined him, including new recruits Jayden Nikorima and Dale Copley.
When approached by 7 News, Copely said he had not comment to make at present.
Inside the apartment, Pearce was captured on a mobile phone by a partygoer appearing to make advances towards a woman in a bedroom.
She rejects the advances, saying “I’m a lesbian” and he is then seen turning his attention toward the Maltese terrier.
He says, "I don't have a sexuality," before picking up the small white dog and telling her "I'll f***k that dog...I don't give a s***t".
The Roosters coach, Trent Robinson said Pearce had apologised for his behaviour and that the club would take action after “going through” the incident.
"The behaviour was unacceptable… We understand that and at the Roosters we can't accept that and we won't," he said.
Pearce apologised for 'unacceptable' abuse
It has provoked a huge community reaction.
On social media, many users criticised the 26-year-old's actions calling the incident a "disgrace", while others defended Pearce, saying it had been "blown well out of proportion".
The NSW Premier Mike Baird said: "What these young men have to realise is they're role models.”
According to friends of Pearce, his behaviour first became erratic after breaking-up with long-time girlfriend Phoebe Carpenter midway through last year.
But this was not his first indiscretion off the field.
In 2009, Pearce was questioned by police but cleared over assault allegations at a Rocks nightclub.
In 2014, he was put in handcuffs after an incident at a Kings Cross nightclub involving the 'woman in the yellow dress,' for which he was fined $20,000 and banned from City entertainment venues.
His actions on Australia Day have split the sport.
"For us, at this time ,it's between us and the NRL…to resolve,” said coach Robinson.
The chairman of the AFL, John Grant, said: "At the end of the day we've got to come to an agreement on what we think's a fair and reasonable way to respond."
The Roosters are pushing for a heavy fine and suspension but the NRL is under increasing pressure to keep players on a tighter leash.
