NRL News: Frank Pritchard escapes ban, to play against Sydney Roosters in semi-finals

NRL veteran player Frank Pritchard heaved a sigh of relief, along with his Canterbury team, when he was cleared to play the semi-finals by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old was charged with a grade one dangerous contact in the game against the Dragons when his high-tackle on Gareth Widdow was framed to be a knee in the back. Pritchard’s chances of exemption were weakened earlier due to his carryover points of high contact charges from previous games of the season.

The Canterbury forward’s defence counsel Nick Ghabar successfully argued that the contact was done with his lower leg and was unavoidable due to high speed. The three-man panel of Mal Cochrane, Sean Garlick and Bronson Harrison accepted the defence against NRL counsel Peter McGrath’s argument that despite the reasoning the contact was still careless.

The verdict guarantees Pritchard a spot in the NRL semi-finals game on Friday against the Sydney Roosters. This comes as a huge advantage to coach Des Hasler’s side with Pritchard’s strength and stature providing a better defence against the strong Rooster pack.

“I just want to thank everyone that helped me today,” a relieved Pritchard told the press after the hearing “I’m very grateful, so thank you.”

Pritchard is set to join the English Super League Hull FC in the next season. A suspension would have cost the player his NRL career. Other Canterbury players expressed their relief over the verdict too, saying that it helped them focus better on the must-win forthcoming game.

“We really want him to play” Canterbury backrower Shaun Lane told before the trial “He’s been one of our best forwards all year and it’s his farewell season.”

The Bulldogs will try to make the best of Pritchard’s last outing with them as they hope to conquer the season favourite Roosters and set their eyes on winning the NRL this year.

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