Kieran Foran fears the criticism heaped upon Mitchell Pearce following his disappointing display in the State of Origin decider will only strengthen the Sydney Roosters' NRL premiership push.
Manly star Foran is one of Pearce's closest friends and one of the first people he spoke to after NSW's 12-10 defeat to Queensland last Wednesday.
The halfback was made the scapegoat by many for the Blues' loss, which extended the Maroons' vice-like Origin grip to eight years.
But he responded in blistering fashion with a superb display in the Roosters' 40-0 win over Cronulla last Saturday - a result that saw the Tri Colours installed as new premiership favourites.
Foran and Pearce grew up together in Sydney's lower north shore, attended the same school and still catch up on a regular basis.
The New Zealand international said he felt nothing but sympathy for Pearce after Origin and believes the criticism meted out to him was completely unfair.
"I did feel for him, Mitch is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and puts his best foot forward," Foran told AAP.
"He didn't deserve the criticism he copped. It's wrong to say the loss falls on his own shoulders."
Pearce admitted before the game he expected to lose his spot in 2014 should he fail to lead the Blues to victory and Foran said his honesty could have worked against him.
"He came and made that statement and that may have made him a victim of his own honesty," he said.
"But that's Mitch ... people forget he is only 24 and he still has his best football ahead of him.
"It would be wrong to write him off, he's only coming into his prime."
Pearce silenced his critics in the best possible fashion with a man-of-the-match performance against the Sharks and Foran said Origin could be a defining moment in his season.
"I sent him a text after the game and caught up with him soon after and he was in a good place," Foran said.
"He's put it all behind him now and focusing on club footy.
"But the criticism has fired him up and it makes the Roosters very dangerous at this time of year.
"They have a very strong side as it is and are playing some of the best footy in the comp."
Manly have also hit form at the right time but Foran claims his side are still some way behind top-two South Sydney and the Roosters.
However, he said the battle-hardened Sea Eagles and Melbourne have the know-how and experience to win a premiership - something the leaders lack.
"We are still lacking a bit of fluency in attack and leaking a few too many points compared to the other teams," he said.
"Last year we did well to get to the semi-final against Melbourne but we were a bit bashed up with injuries at the time.
"This year we have got through a bad injury spell and have everyone pretty much fit and feel fresh.
"We have an expectation here that has developed over many years to go far into the finals.
"And I expect that to be the case again this year."
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