NSW Origin half Mitchell Pearce leads the race for the 2016 Downlow Medal following a scandalous drunken incident at an Australia Day celebration.
Viral images of Pearce interacting with a canine during the festivities see him lead the race for the highly prestigious award which celebrates the off field achievements of players from the NRL, AFL, A League and Super Rugby.
Pearce has staked his claim very early in an effort to emulate Roosters team mate Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who won the prize in 2015.
“I’ve been putting in the hard yards in the off season…” said Pearce “…and I had the chance to put some points on the board early in the competition and I made the most of that chance.”
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