Macca said:
Nah I was a wanker. Totally wrong.
I would love Pritchard. I am pretty certain Mapp is not actually on 220k a year. More like 150k. Still if he does get released to the GC it should free up enough to go after Pritchard, especially with Bails having already left.
A back row of Gallen, Pritchard, Thompson with Williams and Ciraldo, Harlen or Bird coming off the bench is quite tantalising.
Then you have Ross, Douglas and Villa with Kinga and Caine at rake. That's a very good looking pack.
8. Ross
9 Kingston
10. Douglas
11. Pritchard
12. Thompson
13. Gallen
14. Villasanti
15. Williams
16. Ciraldo/Bird/Harlen
17. Caine
Noice!
Well half of what's needed anyway. To keep Thommo as well we have to really up the offer we made. Significantly, because the Souths offer is huge. Unrealistic even.
Pritchard doesn't get an offer till Thommo gives an answer I'm led to believe and even then not till June 30 when he's a freebie agent
Anyway, in further developments
Penrith retracts Pritchard deal
Margie McDonald and Brent Read - The Australian May 23, 2006
PENRITH has all but shut the door on Kiwi international Frank Pritchard by refusing to extend a deadline for him to accept a lucrative million-dollar contract.
Panthers general manager Mike Leary had given Pritchard until yesterday for a final decision on the four-year offer, worth $275,000 a season.
His management asked for another extension until tomorrow, prompting Leary to take the deal off the table.
"We refused because, being realistic, we think he already has had plenty of time," Leary said.
"We'll look at alternative situations now, whereby we can look at retaining some of our own players or waiting until June 30 to pursue the market."
Pritchard, who made his first grade debut with Penrith in 2003 and was a member of the New Zealand Test side on May 5, is free to test himself on the open market after June 30.
However, Leary said the door would not be shut.
"Not completely closed but, put it this way, he has to be aware that offer and that amount may not be available when he comes back," Leary said.