Frank Pritchard ends NRL career

Rugged forward Frank Pritchard has announced the end of a lengthy NRL career.

The back-rower who made his name during stints at Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs, took to Instagram to let the league world know of his plans.

After making his Telstra Premiership debut for Penrith in 2003 and playing 144 matches with that club, the man known as ''Frank the Tank'' switched to the Bulldogs and played a further 104 NRL matches over five seasons.

After a one-year stint with Super League club Hull, Pritchard spent what would prove his final NRL season playing alongside his brother Kaysa at the Parramatta Eels.

On top of his impressive club career, Pritchard played Test football for both New Zealand and Samoa.