from this morning's Daily Telegraph:
BIG Frank Pritchard yesterday signed a rich three-year deal with the Bulldogs - but now stands accused of putting the skids under the Panthers' finals campaign.
Former Penrith and Australian Super League forward Matt Adamson called on coach Matt Elliott to sack Pritchard immediately, describing the timing of the announcement as "selfish and disgraceful".
Kiwi international Pritchard, 26, revealed he had signed a $1.2 million deal with Canterbury, but he will leave Penrith with Adamson's words ringing in his ears. "I'd let him go now - Frank Pritchard is a selfish individual. It's a disgrace what he has done, announcing this two weeks before the finals," Adamson said.
Penrith legend Greg Alexander added: "The timing could have been better. I know the team is very disappointed. Not many forwards can do what Frank does. He is dynamic and it is a blow for Penrith."
Adamson, who played 157 first-grade games for Penrith over nine seasons, was scathing.
"Frank is only worried about Frank. He is purely in the game for himself. If I was the coach, I wouldn't have him in my club. He is not the player I would want to be taking the field alongside," he said.
"You don't win a comp with individuals - you win a comp with a team. Frank is a great player but he has been overpaid for the last three to four years and hasn't delivered.
"Frank should have been let go years ago. I'd drop him right now. Frank has let down his captain: he has turned his back on Petero Civoniceva.
"One hundred per cent this could affect Penrith's finals chances."
Pritchard last night refuted suggestions his late-season signing would derail the Panthers' finals run.
"The club has been very supportive. While I am very sad I am also very happy. Hopefully this group can now go on and win a grand final," he said.
Another former Panther, centre Ryan Girdler, came to Pritchard's support, claiming he did not believe Pritchard's decision would haunt the Panthers this September.
"They are big enough to get on with the job. They have some real leaders in Petero, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse," Girdler said.
"I don't think it will have a bearing on their run into the finals. They are all professionals and will get on with it. You don't get too many opportunities to play in the finals. I think the last time for Penrith was 2004. It won't affect them."
Panthers CEO Mick Leary said of losing Pritchard: "We're disappointed. We made a substantial offer to Frank but he has decided to go."
Asked if Pritchard's decision could destabilise Penrith's finals charge, Leary said: "No mate. As a group, they are very focused. Now is the time for Frank to rise to the occasion and repay the club what they have done for him over the years."
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Seriously.
The idiot destroyed our club more than Pritchard.
He is the biggest cancer I've ever seen at our club.
The fact he is allowed to comment on our affairs is a joke.
BIG Frank Pritchard yesterday signed a rich three-year deal with the Bulldogs - but now stands accused of putting the skids under the Panthers' finals campaign.
Former Penrith and Australian Super League forward Matt Adamson called on coach Matt Elliott to sack Pritchard immediately, describing the timing of the announcement as "selfish and disgraceful".
Kiwi international Pritchard, 26, revealed he had signed a $1.2 million deal with Canterbury, but he will leave Penrith with Adamson's words ringing in his ears. "I'd let him go now - Frank Pritchard is a selfish individual. It's a disgrace what he has done, announcing this two weeks before the finals," Adamson said.
Penrith legend Greg Alexander added: "The timing could have been better. I know the team is very disappointed. Not many forwards can do what Frank does. He is dynamic and it is a blow for Penrith."
Adamson, who played 157 first-grade games for Penrith over nine seasons, was scathing.
"Frank is only worried about Frank. He is purely in the game for himself. If I was the coach, I wouldn't have him in my club. He is not the player I would want to be taking the field alongside," he said.
"You don't win a comp with individuals - you win a comp with a team. Frank is a great player but he has been overpaid for the last three to four years and hasn't delivered.
"Frank should have been let go years ago. I'd drop him right now. Frank has let down his captain: he has turned his back on Petero Civoniceva.
"One hundred per cent this could affect Penrith's finals chances."
Pritchard last night refuted suggestions his late-season signing would derail the Panthers' finals run.
"The club has been very supportive. While I am very sad I am also very happy. Hopefully this group can now go on and win a grand final," he said.
Another former Panther, centre Ryan Girdler, came to Pritchard's support, claiming he did not believe Pritchard's decision would haunt the Panthers this September.
"They are big enough to get on with the job. They have some real leaders in Petero, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse," Girdler said.
"I don't think it will have a bearing on their run into the finals. They are all professionals and will get on with it. You don't get too many opportunities to play in the finals. I think the last time for Penrith was 2004. It won't affect them."
Panthers CEO Mick Leary said of losing Pritchard: "We're disappointed. We made a substantial offer to Frank but he has decided to go."
Asked if Pritchard's decision could destabilise Penrith's finals charge, Leary said: "No mate. As a group, they are very focused. Now is the time for Frank to rise to the occasion and repay the club what they have done for him over the years."
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Seriously.
The idiot destroyed our club more than Pritchard.
He is the biggest cancer I've ever seen at our club.
The fact he is allowed to comment on our affairs is a joke.
