For a player who debuted for the Eels in 2013, it’s taking a long time for Kaysa Pritchard to reach double figures in first grade appearances. The 90kg dummy half/utility has experienced more injuries in 3 seasons than most players experience in a career. So it may be a brave call for me to suggest that he could just be an unexpected X-factor. However, on the strength of a single comeback match and a little background knowledge, I’m prepared to make the big call. Here’s my rationale:
The Pedigree
As the younger brother of Frank Pritchard, you’d expect to see a massive human being who steamrolled his way through junior representative ranks. This was not the manner in which our Kaysa, who has now “bulked up” to 90kg, made his name in the representative ranks.
Nonetheless, he certainly made his mark and was ultimately handed the honour of captaining the star-studded NSW Under 20 Origin team in 2014. Plenty of that team have now become NRL regulars, a destiny that only injury has interrupted for Kaysa. Without doubt, good judges outside of the Parramatta club could see his potential as well as his leadership qualities.
Having spoken to people associated with our football department, the belief still exists that Pritchard can be a genuine star in the NRL.
The Attitude And Work Ethic
This bloke never leaves anything in the tank, either at training or on the field. Fearless is an apt adjective. One wonders if he believes that he possesses his brother’s massive frame! He absolutely loves charging into the meat of the ruck or having the big boppers target him with their charges. Kaysa just wants to smash them.
Nothing left in the tank on the field or at training.
As an anecdotal aside regarding his attitude, I’ll share part of a conversation that Forty had with Kaysa on the fan day. Forty was discussing Pritchard’s strong performance in the NSW Cup trial at Penrith, in which Pritchard played around 75 minutes. Kaysa was filthy about missing 5 minutes of a lower grade trial! Such is his great competitive attitude.
Of course, this aspect of Pritchard is not lost on the coaching staff. Throughout his extended absence last year, Kaysa remained a presence at training and in the dressing room. Indeed, by the end of the year he was participating in opposed sessions at Old Saleyards though not risked in matches. At the team presentation in the auditorium following the final home game of 2015, the first graders were being presented to the fans when BA noticed Kaysa watching from the crowd. He pointed at him and motioned for him to join the team on stage. The regard in which he is held seems obvious.
On-Field Assets
The first and most obvious asset is his pace. Kaysa is in the top 5 Parramatta players over 40 metres. This is a great advantage around the ruck. It creates opportunities from dummy half darts and makes him an ideal player supporting an offload. Although taking the field on Thursday night in an unfamiliar back rower role, Pritchard totalled 50 running metres in around a quarter of the game. Not a bad effort in a disjointed Eels performance. It was probably an effort which will earn him a bench spot against the Cowboys.
Defensively, Pritchard is an absolute tyro. In roughly 20 minutes of play against the Broncos he racked up 17 tackles. This is not an effort in isolation. He has always been, in spite of his smaller frame, a player who has enjoyed knocking over his larger opponents. Putting his body on the line has perhaps been the cause of his injuries, so hopefully his new 90 kg physique can withstand his own demands.
Importantly, Pritchard is also very skilled out of dummy half. He takes the attacking line forward as he moves out of dummy half and delivers good service with varied options. His capacity to explode into a run or unleash an unexpected kick add to his skill set.
A Big Call?
Without doubt! Pritchard’s history of serious injuries would not instill any confidence in fans, and one wonders how many players or clubs would lose faith after such a run. For mine, this speaks volumes for both Pritchard and the Eels football department that his potential can still be realised.
Personally, I’m backing him.
Sixties
All photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
I found the CVR (Contribution Value Rating) numbers for our game on Friday so I’ve been spamming it everywhere. Pritchard was the most valuable player on the field per minute he was out there. He was 19th overall (out of 34 players), which is outstanding for a bloke who was only on the field for 24 minutes.
I’m stoked he was recently re-signed for another two years, and it’s telling that he is currently our only dummy half contracted for 2017.
Good point about 2017 Pou. The only dummy half that Parra has committed to at this stage, and not just for one year.
I think you are on the money Sixties. I couldn’t believe his speed and tackles like a missile. I believe he should be picked on the bench every game. He would give us spark when needed and I don’t see him being targeted in defense. He should be introduced when the opposition are trying.
Sorry, when the opposition are tiring.
He really added something when he took the field. No doubt!
Great read Sixties. Spot on mate. His attack lifted us and along with Kenny Edwards they both lifted the team. Edwards and Manu need players running off their hips….and Kaysa can be not too dissimilar to Brad Drew in some attacking means.
If halves are asking for around 850k per season, maybe Pritchard or French should be being developed into future halves? This would protect Kaysa from being injured as often too with a more organising role and less defence?
We have the perfect player to bring them through in Foran, why not?
Good halves are becoming rare and it’s a dime a dozen for rakes.
…also, it’s easy to suggest that Pritchard made Peats look slow Thursday night when peats had toiled for an hour or so, made sixty or so tackles etc and Kaysa comes on looking quick, fresh and agile.
I’ve read these comments since the game but I thought Peats was very good.
If you notice, I was careful not to make a comparison with Peats from the Broncos game for that very reason. He worked his behind off. I can’t say that he would have served us better. What I will assume is that the injury to Norman probably disrupted a chunk of the bench rotation plan. Could we expect Peats to play those sort of minutes every week? Would we want that sort of defensive workload to fall on him? I wouldn’t want those tackle numbers diminishing the importance of attacking out of dummy half.
Yes, I agree re work load for Peats and the comparison between he and Pritchard was on a different site.
I do believe however, that emphasis should be placed on developing players who could make very good halves or rakes, to be halves.
French in particular could be a dynamic half with the right nurturing IMO. Pritchard too.
Interestingly, French spent some time in the halves during some opposed work in the pre-season. He does possess some silky ball skills.
Absolutely Sixties and well said. I 100% agree with your assessment re Kaysa. I’ve had him as my bench hooker option from the get go and I know the people that matter, as you’ve made mention, rate him very highly.
I may be a little bias towards Kaysa, as I’ve been fortunate enough to have a bit to do with him in the pass and he’s one of the players I know better than others, but from anyone who has seen him play extensively, should know his effort against the Broncos was very typical of Kaysa.
He is the ultimate competitor and throws everything he has at the opposition without fail – he really knows only one gear and that’s all out. A very aggressive youngster whose line speed in defense is brilliant and whose attacking runs from dummy half are very PJ Marsh like.
It’s players like him who will benefit most from the rule changes and will definitely provide us with some x-factor off the bench – he and Kenny Edwards could be the real game changers for us this year.