Just 15 years of age when he debuted in 1915, he had to wait until 1920 to play again, due to the suspension of the competition during the war.
[9] A ruckman who was at times used as a key position player, he had a two-season stint at Carlton, beginning in 1923, which impressed the state selectors enough to see him represent the VFL.
When Pringle resumed playing at Cananore in 1925 it was as captain-coach and he promptly steered them to three successive premierships.
To highlight the strength of this Cananore side, they played a challenge match in 1925 against South Australian Football League club Port Adelaide and won by 178 points.
He played his last TFL season in 1928 and then retired, having represented Tasmania in six interstate matches, most recent of which was the 1927 Melbourne Carnival.