Mitchell Pearce's legendary father on his son's 300th game, off-field controversy, and future in NRL

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When it comes to the NRL Wayne 'Junior' Pearce has just about seen it all. The legend of league played more than 190 games for the Balmain Tigers between 1980 and 1990, and returned to coach for the same club between 1994 and 2000.

He was the first to lead NSW to a 3-0 State of Origin series win, despite suffering the devastating blow of losing two back-to-back grand finals in 1988 and 1989.

As an administrator, Pearce has been a driving force behind the evolution of the modern game, and in 2020 led the NRL's Project Apollo - a crisis management response to outbreak of COVID-19, which positioned the NRL as a world leader in returning to sport amid the impact of the pandemic.

As his son, Newcastle Knights star player Mitchell Pearce, prepares for his 300^th NRL game at the weekend, Pearce senior joins Toohey's News: The Podcast host Barry Toohey to discuss his son's rise through the ranks of top-grade rugby league, as well as the controversies that have haunted his career.

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Have your say or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode by contributing a rating and review in your Apple Podcasts app, or get in touch via email at news@newcastleherald.com.au.

Barry Toohey will bring a new episode to all your favourite podcasting apps every week, complementing his premium and exclusive Knights reporting and analysis in the pages of the Newcastle Herald.

Season 2, Episode 3 will publish next Thursday.

RETRO LOOK: Wayne Pearce (left) in his playing prime in the 1980s.