Mitchell Pearce and James Graham sat down together for a Footy Talk ANZAC Day special.
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Both former players of St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters, the two sides that play out the annual ANZAC Day Cup clash, Pearce shared a story from 2009 when he was just a young player.
The week before Pearce’s tri-colours faced Wayne Bennett’s Saints, he suffered a cut in Auckland against Warriors that needed the classic staple gun.
But his cuts got infected, resulting the young Chook being forced into hospital.
“The plan was to change the staples when I got back,” started Pearce.
“The doctor was unsure whether the staples caused the infection or some there was some dirt.”
“It was like I’d gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson!
“My whole face was just blown up!”
Much to the delight of James Graham and host Adam Peacock, the latter found a resembling figure to Pearce.
“Like in the Simpsons episode!” exclaimed Peacock.
Peacock referencing baseball hall of famer Ken Griffey Jr’s appearance in the legendary show, where his character developed an addiction to a nerve tonic, resulting in him sustaining extreme gigantism.
Pearce resulted with a blood infection but still pushed through against the Saints in a brave performance.
But the Roosters fell in a thumping 29-0 loss.