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NRL great Frank Pritchard 'on life support' in Sydney hospital

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Frank Pritchard, pictured here during a Canterbury Bulldogs game in 2015.
Frank Pritchard (centre) during a Canterbury Bulldogs game in 2015. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Former NRL player Frank Pritchard is reportedly on life support but in "a stable condition" after suffering complications from Covid-19.

According to Channel Nine, the 38-year-old Pritchard is fighting for his life after suffering a collapsed lung and breathing difficulties among other health issues due to the virus.

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The Daily Telegraph is also reporting that Pritchard has been in the ICU at Liverpool Hospital and suffering ongoing problems due to asthma issues.

It emerged on Saturday that Pritchard had been placed in a coma and is now in a "stable" condition.

Frank Pritchard, pictured here in action for the Bulldogs during a game in 2014.
Frank Pritchard in action for the Bulldogs during a game in 2014. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Canterbury football general manager Phil Gould revealed Pritchard was out of his coma after undergoing treatment on New Year's Eve,

"Just an update on Frank Pritchard from his brother," Gould tweeted on Saturday.

"He's out of the coma and in a ward. Lungs are still weak, but in stable condition."

Pritchard played for Penrith, Canterbury and Parramatta in the NRL, as well as Hull in the English Super League in a 282-game first grade career.

The Australian-born forward also played 27 Test matches for New Zealand and eight for Samoa before retiring in 2017.

On Friday, Gould wrote on Twitter: "Hearts and prayers are with former Bulldog Frank Pritchard who is in hospital battling Covid.

"We send all our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Our love to Frank's family and friends."

Hull KR tweeted: "Our thoughts are with Frank Pritchard and his family as he battles Covid in hospital. Keep fighting, Frank."

While St Helens wrote: "All our thoughts and prayers are with former Hull and Bulldogs player Frank Pritchard who is in hospital battling Covid. Keep fighting, Frank!"

Andrew Johns hospitalised with Covid-19

Reports also emerged on Friday that NRL legend Andrew Johns was admitted to hospital in country NSW after contracting Covid-19.

The Newcastle Knights legend was reportedly on holiday in the Riverina region of NSW with his partner and daughter when he tested positive.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Johns was admitted to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital before being taken to isolate at a hotel.

The Newcastle Knights recorded a positive case in December, with centre Chris Vae'lia sent into isolation.

The rest of the Knights squad had been given permission to return to training after returning negative readings.

The Canberra Raiders are also believed to have learned of further cases within their NRL group, after two staff members tested positive forcing their entire squad to isolate.

The Raiders will not comment on the current number of cases, but will monitor and assess their situation before returning to training on January 5.

Fellow NRL clubs Wests Tigers and South Sydney have also had pre-season training disrupted in recent weeks because of Covid-19 cases.

with AAP

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