Sydney Roosters playmaker Mitchell Pearce has again landed himself in trouble, this time over a lewd act while on an alcohol-fuelled Australia Day bender.
An intoxicated Pearce can be seen in a video shown by the Nine Network's A Current Affair forcing an unwanted kiss on a female, who rejects his advances and clearly states "I am a lesbian," before he kisses her.
Pearce then turned his attention to the woman's dog, announcing: "I'll f*** that dog, I don't give a f***, I don't have a sexuality."
Pearce, who was shirtless but wearing shorts, is then seen to simulate sex with the dog.
The woman tells him to stop but Pearce continues to simulate sex with the animal before the woman takes the dog away and tells him to leave.
Pearce again states what he would like to do to the animal.
"I want to f*** your dog, I don't even care anymore."
The woman then suggests Pearce had also urinated on her couch.
This is not the first time Pearce has found himself in trouble because of issues with alcohol.
In 2014, he was fined $20,000 by the Roosters after a nightclub incident in Kings Cross where a female patron complained about his advances.
Pearce was then asked to leave the venue by bouncers before a brief police investigation ensued.
After that incident, he went on a self-imposed alcohol ban.
The latest episode casts a shadow over his footballing future, especially in the wake of Todd Carney's banishment from the NRL for an alcohol-fuelled incident in 2014 at a Cronulla night spot.
In 2010, Canberra released representative centre Joel Monaghan after a lewd act with an animal during the Raiders' Mad Monday celebrations.
The Roosters and National Rugby League both issued subsequent statements on Wednesday evening in relation to the Pearce incident.
The Roosters announced they would conduct an internal investigation while the NRL awaited a report from the Roosters into the incident.
"The Integrity Unit will work with the Roosters to ensure the matter is dealt with appropriately," read the NRL statement.
Parramatta legend Peter Sterling has weighed in on the incident and says Pearce will pay for his transgressions.
"We're talking about a guy now who's got form and is one of the leading players in our game," Sterling told Triple M's Rush Hour.
"This will be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
"You have to ask yourself how many times is that going to be abided and, when you get to this stage, how heavy do the NRL and the Roosters come down on him?
"The guys have got every right to be out on Australia Day, on a boat enjoying themselves.
"The vast majority of the Roosters had a great time and went home; Mitchell should have done the same thing."
The Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) issued a statement on Wednesday night saying it was not appropriate to comment on the circumstances of the case without knowing all the facts.
"We understand the club will conduct an internal investigation and that the NRL Integrity Unit has asked for a report into the matter.
"But the Association has been in touch with club and NRL officials to reinforce that any investigation must follow due process, which we have been assured will occur in this matter.
"The RLPA will provide Pearce with appropriate wellbeing support as needed."
