The big sexy

NEWSLOCALPARRAMATTAFrank Pritchard swapped the blue and gold for something more dapper in a menswear shoot for Johnny Bigg.Frank Pritchard swapped the blue and gold for something more dapper in a menswear shoot for Johnny Bigg.Cranky Frank Pritchard shows off his big sexy side in modelling campaignJune 2, 2017 5:09pmMelissa YeoParramatta AdvertiserFROM Cranky Frank to Big Sexy — Parramatta Eels prop Frank Pritchard swapped his footy gear for blazers and pocket squares to get himself a whole new identity.The 33-year-old, self-proclaimed ‘‘casual guy’’ was given the model treatment for his latest role as a face of big and tall menswear brand Johnny Bigg.“It is pretty daunting, doing those type of things, especially being a rugby league player — you never really get this sort of treatment,” Pritchard said.“In the forward pack you get all the battle scars, so it’s nice to get scrubbed up a little.“There was a bit of make-up involved, a little foundation and even a bit of gel on the beard.”Pritchard said he didn’t mind all the pampering for the Johnny Bigg photoshoot.It is not the first time Pritchard has been in front of the camera. He has modelled for the brand over the past three seasons.And he hinted he would consider a runway career when his NRL days were over. “Why not? I’m open to everything — things like this don’t often come to bigger people,” he said.Although he may cop some flak in the change rooms, his Eels teammates have also cheered him on in his new role. “The boys were a bit shocked when I first told them because I’m one of the bigger fellas on the team but now they just call me ‘Big Sexy’,” he said.“Normy (Corey Norman) is the one that is usually in the spotlight so he’s given me a few areas to work on — he says I should do a twostep and turn.”Pritchard says he’s keen to play another season alongside younger brother Kaysa.The father of three is off contract with Parramatta at the end of this season and, sidelined with a broken foot, he has had plenty of time to think about what the future might hold.He said he was keen for another year at the club, especially alongside younger brother Kaysa.“There’s 11 years between me and Kaysa. I grew up playing backyard footy but he was always too young to play with us,” he said. “To play alongside him, you really see a whole other side to him.”Pritchard, who has represented Samoa and New Zealand, has played for Canterbury and Penrith as well as the Eels and had a season in Britain’s Super League.Pritchard played for Penrith early in his career ...And then for the Bulldogs before moving overseas to Hull.He has always had his own projects on the side.“I had a coffee shop before I left the UK and at the moment I’m working with troubled kids at St Marys juvenile detention centre,” he said.The gentle giant expressed a desire to work in welfare services or social work but said he was simply enjoying being a footballer, husband to Raima and a dad at the moment.Pritchard with wife Raima and three kids at Allianz Stadium. Picture: @pritchardfrankHis two sons, Duante, 16, and Neveah, 10, seem set to follow in their father’s footsteps, already showing potential on the footy field. And his daughter Kaizen, 7, is truly daddy’s little girl.“I get so much enjoyment out of watching my kids play the game that I love,” he said. “The elder boy is in the development squad at Parramatta and plays for Canley Vale while the 10-year-old plays for Cabramatta.“My youngest isn’t sure whether she wants to play soccer or be a ballerina at the moment but we do know she likes to give the two boys a lot of grief.“One thing is for sure, his beard is staying. “I’ve been growing this for about six years and don’t have plans to switch up my look just yet — there aren’t enough beards in the game, I think.”Pritchard hinted a stint at modelling could be on the cards after his time with the NRL.story/b9645a2a849e749612ad16736f52c7a9

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