Frank Pritchard is leaving Penrith to join the Bulldogs. Photo / Getty Images
Frank Pritchard's National Rugby League (NRL) future has finally been resolved, with the Kiwis second rower bound for the Bulldogs next year.
The 18-test international and Penrith Panthers stalwart has signed a three-year deal, 24 hours after he had been linked with a possible code switch to Super 15 expansion
franchise the Melbourne Rebels.
Pritchard made his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2003 and has played 141 games for the club.
After constant speculation about the 26-year-old's future this season, it was clarified today when Bulldogs head coach Kevin Moore announced the acquisition on the club's website.
"Frank has got size, he's got speed, he's got strength and is a player that has a great impact on games. We're thrilled that we'll be able to welcome him to the Bulldogs next year," Moore said.
"In the past couple of seasons we've lost several of our senior players and I'm expecting Frank will step up to take a leadership role within our team."
The Bulldogs made the preliminary final last year, where they were beaten by eventual premiership runners-up Parramatta.
But this season they slumped to 13th with two rounds remaining and have long been out of contention for the playoffs.
Penrith chief executive Mick Leary had been hopeful of retaining Pritchard, on his day one of the competition's most devastating ball runners.
"The Panthers made quite a competitive and substantial offer to Frank in renegotiating his contract," Leary said.
Pritchard's future at the Panthers may have been compromised by the re-signing of fellow stars Michael Jennings, Petero Civoniceva and Michael Gordon - contracts that would have put pressure on the club's salary cap.
Pritchard has played 17 of a possible 22 games this season and has the third highest metres gained stats of a Panthers forward of 1761m, behind captain Civoniceva (2407m) and fellow prop Tim Grant (1856).
He missed the Anzac test in May through injury but is expected to be a key member of the Kiwis' Four Nations squad who play Australia, England and Papua New Guinea in October.
- NZPA
