Frank Pritchard is the forgotten man of this year’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 teammate’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’s co-captain all season, and is on hand to step up his leadership responsibilities against South Sydney.
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 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 Sunday’s grand final, symbolic in some ways of his captaincy style.
The New Zealand international – a family man of the highest order – isn’t one for the spotlight or the Churchillian speeches, but Des Hasler named him co-captain for good reason.
Pritchard is popular.
His experience, calming sense of humour and courageous return from serious injury makes him the unspoken key behind the Bulldogs’ hopes on Sunday.
“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 amongst 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.
“He’s been somewhat of a forgotten man throughout this season, but he’s played a big part in the team’s success.”
