Picture yourself standing 10 metres out from the opposition's goal line, your teammates screaming at you, the opposition charging at you and the result of the game hinges on how you execute this drop-kick.
Being the team's go-to player for field goal attempts appears to be a seemingly daunting task, however nib Newcastle Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce is no stranger to success when the pressure is on.
The 29-year-old capped off an incredible debut for the Knights in round one, after landing the winning field goal in the 88th minute during golden point against Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium.
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Pearce told reporters after the match the moment was "nothing like he's ever experienced."
It can be argued that halfbacks are the most scrutinised players in the game, with the enormous responsibility for steering their team around the park and leading the attack with precise kicks and creative plays.
Pearce has dealt with his fair share of critics since he debuted for the Sydney Roosters back in 2007, especially given the added pressure of having one of the most famous surnames in the game.
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"I was always a bit funny about it," Pearce told Our Town Our Team podcast.
"That extra pressure never sat well with me."
While pressure can be debilitating for some, Pearce describes winning under pressure and the challenges that rugby league brings, as extremely rewarding.
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"Some of my best moments have been when the pressure has been on all week and your team has to get up," he said.
"The challenge and the opportunity of what I can create at the Knights is what attracted me to the club."
With 250 games to his name, Pearce is now seemingly accustomed to the pressure that being a halfback encompasses and is firmly focused on his role at the Knights, with reaching the top eight in 2019 firmly in his sights.
