Returning to the NRL following eight years in English Super League with Wigan Warriors, veteran winger Pat Richards picked up where he left off with a superb season.
His goal-kicking and kickoffs attracted plenty of headlines, but it was his strong finishing, aerial skills and ability to read the game that helped Wests Tigers most on the field, with his early-season combination on the left wing along with James Tedesco, Luke Brooks and Chris Lawrence proving to be one of the most potent across the league.
One of just eight Wests Tigers players to feature in 20 or more games in 2014, Richards didn’t miss any game time in the first half of the season, before suffering a hamstring injury against in Round 18 that limited him to just a handful of games over the final few rounds.
Richards' nine tries in 2014 was the highest of any player at the Club.
Facts & Figures
Games |
Tries |
Assists |
Points |
Metres |
Tackles |
20 |
9 |
0 |
145 |
2064 |
61 |
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Top Try — Round 7 vs. Parramatta Eels
With the match in the balance and Parramatta threatening to take the lead, Richards came up with a try-saving intercept off a Chris Sandow cut-out before running 90m to score under the posts. That try gave Wests Tigers a momentary relief in defence and allowed them to hang in the match long enough for Brooks to slot a 78th minute field-goal to win the match, before Richards himself added a 50m penalty in the 80th minute.
Best Match — Round 16 vs. Canberra Raiders
He scored a crucial try before the break, had a strong night with the boot and provided plenty of leadership at the back following Tedesco’s early exit due to injury, but it was Richards’ defence that mattered most on the night. Richards pulled off a crucial intercept running back to his own line in the 78th minute to deny Brenko Lee, before again coming to the fore in the final seconds to fall on a loose ball and secure the win.
Magic Moment — Round 13 vs. Newcastle Knights
It wasn’t scripted at all, but with the scores locked and some frantic play in motion on last tackle from Wests Tigers, Richards stepped up to slot an unlikely field goal from 30m out near the sideline to give the visitors a shock one-point lead. Richards would then cross for a try himself moments later to give Wests Tigers a stunning 23-20 victory.
