Hugh Pratt is the young man with the calmness to handle any pressure situation.
And one of those pressure points is goal-kicking, an area where the talented number nine has been outstanding throughout the Holden Cup in 2015.
In his 25 games this season, Pratt has kicked 90 goals and backed it up with four tries for a tally of 196 points heading into tomorrow’s Grand Final against Penrith at ANZ Stadium.
“Hugh does a lot of practice on his goal-kicking and then goes out and replicates it in the game,’’ said Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Coach, David Heath.
It is not just his exceptional goal-kicking ability that has thrived this season. Pratt has been one of the standouts for the Sea Eagles. He has tasted some senior football and even started at hooker for the Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup sudden-death qualifying final against eventual premiers Newcastle.
Pratt’s statistics in the Holden Cup level show his high work-rate – 157 runs, 1213 metres, and 864 tackles. He averages 35 tackles a game and his defence is very strong.
“Hugh is a very solid footballer. He has matured this year,’’ Heath added.
“He provides excellent service from dummy half. Hugh has been a big part of what we have done. He just wants to play and when I start to bring him off, he doesn’t want to go.
“It is a sensational culture to have. I’ve had players before who have put their hands up when things got hard, but not with Hugh.”
The 19-year-old will play his 43rd and final game in the Holden Cup tomorrow. His swansong may just see him kick the Sea Eagles to a premiership victory too.
Kick-off is 1.35pm. The match will be shown live on Channel Nine and Fox Sports. Supporters can also follow live updates on the Sea Eagles' Twitter and Facebook accounts.
