League veteran Pat Richards set to retire

[tigerap]

Pat Richards is to retire at end of the Super League season, declaring he wants a coaching role at the club where he won an NRL premiership.

The 34-year-old winger is in the first season of a two-year deal with Catalans Dragons after returning to Super League from NRL club Wests Tigers, but has decided the time is right to end his career.

"I'd love to stay in the game," Richards said.

"I've been playing since I was 11 and it's given me so much so I'd love to give something back.

**"There might be a role at Wests Tigers. I'd like do do some junior development, maybe or do a bit of coaching."**

Richards has racked up more than 3000 points over 16 seasons in the NRL and Super League after starting his career with Parramatta in 2000.

He moved on to Wests Tigers in 2004, where he won the 2005 NRL premiership, and lifted two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups in his glittering career with Wigan.

He was named Super League's Man of Steel in 2010.

"I'm not getting any younger and I feel it's the right time to move into the next phase of my career," Richards said.

"It's something I've thought about for a while. I've been very fortunate enough to play a long career and I know the time is right to finish playing."

Richards has made 21 appearances for the French club, who remain in a challenging position in Super League despite losing their last five matches in all competitions.

 

[Tigerdon]

As far as I'm concerned Pat can start tomorrow, with the Head Coaching role of First grade at the WTs

 

[hobbo]

Champion player .." The Fend"… All the best for your future endeavours Pat !!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

If he has the smarts he should do an apprenticeship with the kids.

Thanks for the memories Patty.

 

[gallagher]

Such a shame he didn't play more NRL. He would have smashed some point scoring records

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

He would have played for the Blues and possibly Australia as well. He spent his best years in England.

When you think that he scored 2100 odd points in 9 years and Kevin Sinfield has scored 3200 odd in 18 it gives perspective to how much of an impact he had in England.

 

[iofthetigers]

I would love to see him in the NFL, he would be great in a Vikings uniform. He could be a punter & a kicker.

 

[Tigerdave]

"There might be a role at Wests Tigers. I'd like do do some junior development, maybe or do a bit of coaching."

kicking coach?

 

[Bob]

Yeah clearly the might be a role is as a kicking coach. From memory he was showing teddy how to do the line drop outs and kick offs. ( however Taylor wasn't a fan off the knockoffs.

 

[newtiger]

I think that Patty could offer a lot more that just kicking coach, playing the game for 23 years he would have gained a lot of knowledge from playing under different coaches different styles of competitions.
Good luck in what ever endeavour you choose to follow, hope that it is WT.

 

[supercoach]

Patty in his hay day what a sight. Probably scored the best GF try in years on one leg, the guy should have been on crutches,but got needled up and latched onto a Benji flick pass,pulled out the famous right hand fend and galloped another 25 meters or so to score. Re invented the kick off and probably did the biggest line drop out of all time ending up inside the other teams 25\. In a word CHAMPION

 

[innsaneink]

I rememeber being at one of his first games for us, a trial up in Gosford in 04 i think, broke his leg badly, remember thinking to myself "we wont be seeing much of this bloke anymore"
Congrats to him on a great career

 

[happy_tiger]

Good luck Pattycakes in the future

Give the NFL a go I reckon

 

[westTAHger]

Congrats on a great career Pat.
You've played both in NRL and English Super League and had an impact.

Maybe the NRL/ARL/QRL/Country Rugby league, could have you travelling around holding " kicking clinic' in all areas. I have no doubt many would flourish, from your mentoring as a kicking coach.

 

[rialto]

Wonderful player, great guy, all round champ!!! All the best for the future.

 

[tig_prmz]

stellar career and always held his own. Man with THE GOLDEN BOOT.

 

[Mac_tiger]

Would love to see him in a new role with the club. Well done Pat!

 

[Guest]

A role at the club would be great for Pat, hope to see him back in Tigers colours next year.

 

[Curaeus]

All class! Hope we can find a role for him. Could be a very good NRL head coach one day after a few years apprenticeship somewhere. Best wishes Patty on whatever you do and wherever you do it-but hopefully at Wests Tigers!

 

[innsaneink]

THIRD TIME’S A CHARM

Is Pat Richards set for a THIRD stint at the Tigers?

The goal-kicking winger is hoping to land a junior coaching role at his old club after deciding to quit playing at the end of this season, with a year still to run on his Catalans deal.