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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21311183-5006066,00.html
I'll play NRL round one
Exclusive by Josh Massoud
March 02, 2007 12:00
FRESH from cheating death, Tom Pritchard now has a new wish.
"I still feel down, but whenever I see my brother play it makes me feel better," he said.
Like the man upstairs, Frank Pritchard is all ears at the moment.
Taking the first step to grant his little brother's wish, Pritchard yesterday declared he is determined to overcome the turmoil that has engulfed his life and play in the Panthers' season opener on March 17.
"I'm trying to push myself to come back in round one," the second-rower said. "I think it's possible."
Few would have believed so two weeks back when a violent street brawl landed Tom in a coma with three stab wounds to his heart.
Despite being clinically dead when he arrived at hospital and losing 90 litres of blood as surgeons battled to keep him alive Tom is now miraculously on his own two feet at home.
Despite his little brother's incredible recovery, Pritchard could be excused for citing something deeper than the knife wound in his thumb for needing more time before returning.
"My coach Matt Elliott understands," Pritchard said.
"He told me, 'family comes first get you're mind right and come back when you are ready'."
The 23-year-old yesterday said he was ready.
"You don't really expect these types of things to happen," he said.
"After it happened football was not a priority at all. I haven't worried about it. Now I'm ready to come back. I've just got to wait for my thumb to heal."
Had it occurred during the season, Pritchard's injury would have sidelined him for a month.
By divine co-incidence, that's the same amount of time between the February 17 brawl and Penrith's first game against Cronulla at Toyota Park.
Pritchard's manager David Riolo last night said the ordeal would steel his client for the 2007 season.
"He will come back a more mature player from this . . . I think it will help him in the long run," Riolo said.
"The outcome is very positive for Tom and I think it will be for Frank, too."
The towering forward did no training while his little brother was in hospital. He was too consumed visiting him and receiving phone updates from his mother Vae, whose bedside vigil stretched for eight unbroken nights.
Now Tom is out of trouble, Pritchard is back training.
"I've done a couple of cardio sessions, but no weights," he said.
The wide support from all corners of rugby league has no doubt sped Pritchard's desire.
He revealed rival club the Bulldogs had sent flowers. On top of that, the Paea brothers from the Roosters as well as Warriors players, and even Hull FC star Motu Tony had been in contact.
Having also fathered a new baby boy just three weeks before the brawl, Pritchard said his club's patience and support was invaluable.
"They've offered counselling and given me as much time as I need off training to get my head right," he said.
"They've also helped out with physio and doctors."
And support will continue from home when Pritchard returns. Scores of framed photos and jerseys marking his rise from a junior to NRL premiership winner line the walls of his parent's house.
But for the deeply religious family from Sydney's working class west, it was prayers that mattered most.
Great News:thumb
I'll play NRL round one
Exclusive by Josh Massoud
March 02, 2007 12:00
FRESH from cheating death, Tom Pritchard now has a new wish.
"I still feel down, but whenever I see my brother play it makes me feel better," he said.
Like the man upstairs, Frank Pritchard is all ears at the moment.
Taking the first step to grant his little brother's wish, Pritchard yesterday declared he is determined to overcome the turmoil that has engulfed his life and play in the Panthers' season opener on March 17.
"I'm trying to push myself to come back in round one," the second-rower said. "I think it's possible."
Few would have believed so two weeks back when a violent street brawl landed Tom in a coma with three stab wounds to his heart.
Despite being clinically dead when he arrived at hospital and losing 90 litres of blood as surgeons battled to keep him alive Tom is now miraculously on his own two feet at home.
Despite his little brother's incredible recovery, Pritchard could be excused for citing something deeper than the knife wound in his thumb for needing more time before returning.
"My coach Matt Elliott understands," Pritchard said.
"He told me, 'family comes first get you're mind right and come back when you are ready'."
The 23-year-old yesterday said he was ready.
"You don't really expect these types of things to happen," he said.
"After it happened football was not a priority at all. I haven't worried about it. Now I'm ready to come back. I've just got to wait for my thumb to heal."
Had it occurred during the season, Pritchard's injury would have sidelined him for a month.
By divine co-incidence, that's the same amount of time between the February 17 brawl and Penrith's first game against Cronulla at Toyota Park.
Pritchard's manager David Riolo last night said the ordeal would steel his client for the 2007 season.
"He will come back a more mature player from this . . . I think it will help him in the long run," Riolo said.
"The outcome is very positive for Tom and I think it will be for Frank, too."
The towering forward did no training while his little brother was in hospital. He was too consumed visiting him and receiving phone updates from his mother Vae, whose bedside vigil stretched for eight unbroken nights.
Now Tom is out of trouble, Pritchard is back training.
"I've done a couple of cardio sessions, but no weights," he said.
The wide support from all corners of rugby league has no doubt sped Pritchard's desire.
He revealed rival club the Bulldogs had sent flowers. On top of that, the Paea brothers from the Roosters as well as Warriors players, and even Hull FC star Motu Tony had been in contact.
Having also fathered a new baby boy just three weeks before the brawl, Pritchard said his club's patience and support was invaluable.
"They've offered counselling and given me as much time as I need off training to get my head right," he said.
"They've also helped out with physio and doctors."
And support will continue from home when Pritchard returns. Scores of framed photos and jerseys marking his rise from a junior to NRL premiership winner line the walls of his parent's house.
But for the deeply religious family from Sydney's working class west, it was prayers that mattered most.
Great News:thumb
