Pritchard a man on a mission
July 25th 2008 07:58
Frank Pritchard looks set to torment the Tigers tomorrow night
All you see is the sun, reflecting off Frank Pritchard's face.
Always ready for a showdown, eager to settle any dispute. Pritchard is a man not to get down with.
The last time he met the Wests Tigers, he was polishing gold on a performance that cast aside all dramas. Those unfolding were put to rest.
It was round 4 in season 2008, the big Kiwi allowed his blood to run cold, reloading all the anger that has plagued this Panther's career.
The night was windy, full of gust. Judging by Pritchard's performance that evening, it left the Tigers muggy and dusted.
Soon enough, Pritchard's performance proved the catalyst for a 30-6 win in the battle of the cats. The moonshine was truly in Penrith's corner.
The Warning was always there, reminiscent of a thousand wolves howling. Pritchard put up a poster of fear among all Tigers fans.
Come this Saturday night, the Kiwi international will stand close. He's teams finals reputation on the line against an opponent he tore apart earlier this season.
This time, the stakes are far higher. The price on Pritchard's head is full of truth and determination. Penrith are riding towards the finals, finally on the run from two seasons of disappointment.
For Pritchard, life as an outlaw is finally over.
With those gigantic arms by his side, Pritchard's pride will be on stage when he pits his game against a side possessing more moves than Jamiraqui.
Seeing by the look on his face, Pritchard seems to always be ten paces off a certain situation.
Outside a footy pitch, he is not worried about life's circumstances. When playing in the NRL, Pritchard aims straight for glory, never one to fire a blank.
On his day, Pritchard can leave any individual stunned whether it be through a tackle from those tree trunk arms, or the skills that were in full motion against the Tigers back in rd 4.
While many figure Pritchard is yet to realise his full potential, there have been times where the Panthers icon has struggled to cope with life's difficulties.
His brother was stabbed in an incident last year that left the Kiwi forward contemplating retirement from the game he loves.
But instead, he chose to load up his saddle, and continue on a career that has yielded more gold than bullets, for which we are all thankful.
Although the torment suffered last year appears to be behind him, Pritchard is still riding the miles to ensure Penrith reach the finals this year.
After such an ordinary beginning to their campaign in season 2008, both the Panthers and Pritchard are hitting the spot in terms of belief and attitude.
That attitude will be tested tomorrow when Pritchard and co. meet the Tigers at home. Penrith have lost their last seven night matches at CUA stadium. What was once a fortress is now a ghost town full of lost memory and culture.
Not that Pritchard will have that on his mind. No matter what the circumstances, his game will never change.
His physique alone has always demanded respect from opposition forces. From those mechanical legs, all the way up to his eyes, fully aware of the mission at hand.
Come Saturday night, Pritchard will attempt to re-ignite the form that made all Tigers fans hollow on that cold Monday night.
Trouble will be in the air, and with it, the gauge that comes with Pritchard's ever-growing character as the incredible hulk of league.
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