Pritchard leading figure for Dogs
Frank Pritchard is the forgotten man of tonight’s NRL grand final, for a variety of reasons.
It was the bearded Canterbury back rower who inadvertently fractured the foot of Michael Ennis when he fell on his team-mate’s leg attempting a tackle in last week’s preliminary final against Penrith.
What has also slipped under the radar is that Pritchard has been Ennis’ co-captain all season, and is on hand to step up his leadership responsibilities against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
But the other Pritchard fact that’s been underplayed this week is that it’s a minor miracle he’s even taking part in the premiership decider.
After tearing his pectoral muscle in round six against the Warriors, attempting a tackle on Konrad Hurrell, Pritchard was bracketed with ‘season’ in the Bulldogs casualty
Bulldogs co-captain Frank Pritchard leads by example. ward. But returning on the eve of the finals, Pritchard has been an unsung hero behind the Bulldogs inexplicable rise from making up the numbers to premiership threats.
Pritchard will most likely come off the bench in the grand final, symbolic in some ways of his captaincy style.
The New Zealand international isn’t one for the spotlight or the Churchillian speeches but coach Des Hasler named him good reason.
Pritchard is popular. His experience, calming sense of humour and courageous return from serious injury make him the unspoken key behind the Bulldogs’ hopes tonight.
“To be honest, I didn’t think he would come back,” said Bulldogs staffer and former grand final star Steve Turner. “It was a nasty injury and was looking like it was going to be season-ending for him.
“For him to work hard at his rehab, get back playing again, making an impact and being a senior leader around the club is going to help.
“It’s great to see him playing in a grand final again because he’s so popular among the group, the community and the fans.
“Frankie is co-captain and he’s got to step up this weekend and be a leader. He’ll lead by his actions.”
co-captain
for