Parramatta’s already thin No.9 stocks have suffered an NRL hammer blow after Kaysa Pritchard was granted leave by the Eels.
The club on Wednesday announced that the luckless 24-year-old had been granted time away from the game to consider his options.
“Last season Kaysa Pritchard suffered a serious injury and while he was able return to pre-season training in October 2018, he continues to deal with some residual impact from that injury,” the club said in a statement.
“As a result, the club has granted Kaysa’s request for some time away from the game to assess his immediate playing future.”
Pritchard has been injury-prone throughout his career and has made just 47 appearances since debuting in 2013.
A little more than two weeks out from their season opener against Penrith, Pritchard’s unavailability leaves the Eels with just one recognised hooker in their squad in Reed Mahoney.
The 20-year-old Mahoney has just nine games of first-grade experience and was this week upgraded to a full-time contract.
The club was reported to be interested in luring Issac Luke away from the Warriors, where he is on a cut-price deal, however, the Auckland club have said they are in the process of offering him an upgraded contract.
Dutski
Roar Guru
It’s a shame but good on the club for giving him time. I’ve always rated Matt McIlwrick and can’t understand why he doesn’t get much first grade. I know he’s just moved to Souths where he’s really just a depth player. The Eels could do worse than see if the Bunnies would let him come across.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Pritchard is one tough little hombre. He had numerous concussions last year, so it sounds like it is related to those, in which case that is very worrying and one hopes it all works out for him.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's terrible seeing a player taken out of the game because of injury. I hope he gets his health sorted soon and hopefully can return to the game.