Be honest, who expected him to stay 8 years when you signed him?

You've had tremendous value out of the guy, and he'll surely leave as one of the best overseas imports of the Super League era across the league, never mind at Wigan.

This is another departure I'd put under the 'manageable' category. He's been amazing and he should get a rousing send off but all good things come to an end and he deserves to take his family home.

The one thing I do agree with though is that good signings are a must. We don't have anybody ready to step in to his shoes unlike Mossops departure. We've got cash to spend and rafts of cap space. I'd guess Richards is one of our highest earners so add his cash to Mossops, Hock and any of others and we must bring a couple in.

We certainly must have loads of spare cap space swimming around for next season by now.

DO we give Gelling a run on the wing for a few of the remaining games this season? Because of the U19's and dual reg rules he can't get a game so if he is to be retained Wigan need to give him some decent game time.

He's just not a winger for my money, looks far more comfortable at centre. I'd like to see him get a run there and Thornley on the wing, that could be a very exciting combo

Briscoe or Broughton would be my two choices and in that order as well.

Another Aussie leaving and another English replacement.

Wane and IL have really made an emphasis on home grown players haven't they.

Not a bad thing either

Is Briscoe not all but confirmed to be going to the NRL?

Broughton is a good shout, he has not renewed his contract with Salford yet. We should get that scrote Longy to have a word in his ear.

Looking on the Hull board, there seems to be a low-key sense that Briscoe wants out, with a couple openly saying that thanks the scandal in Aus, Cronulla may no longer be his favoured destination and that Wigan will get him.

I like that thought.

I like Broughton too - very much, but I'd be surprised if the good doctor would let him go. Team building seems to be the thing at Salford, and money is no object any more.

tom lineham (spelling)? he would be one young winger i could see wane wanting, he's big, good hands, good core skills, good in the air and a good finisher. Hull fc are still in a mess even after adam persons hot air, and i cant seem them saying no or match the salary we could offer.

The key part in all of this that we are cashed up as well. Would a decent salary + the prospect of silverware be enough to entice players.

There's zero doubt in my mind both Hull and especially Salford would move heaven and earth to keep these two highly sort after and talented guys.

Both would be excellent replacements for Pat.

You'll have a better chance of getting Briscoe then Tom Lineham. Most Hull fans have conceded to that fact that we are going to lose Tom Briscoe at the end of the year and Lineham is the man who is going to replace him with Jason Crookes on the other wing.

I'd like to think that we can offer higher or at least match the salary Wigan could offer to either player as we already have a little bit of money spare under the cap, plus we have just release Seymour and we will be losing O'Meley, Galea and possibly Tickle at the end of the season on top of Briscoe. As for where Briscoe is going to end up, I'd be really disappointed if ended up at another SL club. By the sounds of it he has his heart set on a contract in the NRL which I don't blame him for and a member of the Cronulla board has come out in the press expressing interest in Tom.

Great servant to the club, model professional and great player. Seen his contracts out. None of this leaving early tosh.



Going to be a hard act to follow

Fair enough if i was a hull fc supporter i would be much more happier losing briscoe than lineham he looks like he could become a monster. But i would be surprised if more than 3 teams have as much spare room under the cap as wigan. If you look at the squad its just full of young academy products who wont be on a lot of money and the more experienced players have exemptions anyway.

He has the potential, he has pace to burn as well does Lineham. With the cap going up in the NRL it's becoming harder to get any quality players from over there. The way forward now is bringing in your own youngsters through which Wigan have done magnificently and it's something we are trying to replicate over at Hull.

That young winger Lancaster in your u16's ia a flying machine.

Lineham is a terrific prospect and has the physical gifts to go very far in the game, big strong and fast I really rate him.

Personally I would prefer him over Briscoe as I think he will go on to be the better player long term....before heading to the NRL.

IF Brisoe's move to the NRL has stalled I would expect him to favour a move to Wigan over any other Super League club. I know his brother (currently at Leeds) was a Wigan fan growing up as I believe he was too.

Good luck Paaaat

A club legend and one of the greats of the SL era. His 2010 season was a masterclass in modern wing play.

I hope there's enough left in the tank for him to get the recognition in Oz that he deserves before he hangs up his boots.

I can't say I've seen the u16's play this season. I've been to a couple of u19's though and they have several players who all have the potential to play SL.

Pats skills can be replaced in time but the leadership, experience and the steadying hand he gives brings to the team won't be easily replaced.
IMO he's our biggest loss, I hope IL & SW have him in their succession management strategy.
Good luck to him at West Tigers

Gellings finishing is much improved and thornley looks solid in defence in the centre position. Similar beast in my opinion, so, despite gellings dropped balls, why swap them? Especially when i dont think gellings played in the centres for the first team in over a year.

We cannot replace Pats kicking !

We see kickers of his calibre rarely. In the last 30 years we have had Botica and Pat, possibly Andy Farrell. But even Farrell was not as good as Botica and Pat.

Kickers win the 'big games'.

Not read the thread, i don't want to be made to feel suicidal. Top bloke, great signing and i can only say thanks and wish him well...

A shadow of his former self since that achilles injury.

Good luck, Pat. Hopefully we find a decent replacement.

Quote Shaun was also asked about the departure of Pat Richards at the end of the season which the Club announced earlier in the day,'" Quote "He told me a couple of weeks ago but I admire him. He's a good man and what a lot of people don't know is that behind the scenes he does a lot for the team. How honest he is in team meetings - he's an outstanding individual and I wanted to give him another contract but his mind was set. "He has his kids to look after and I wasn't going to push him that hard. "He said to me a few weeks ago that his kids are getting to ages where they are trying to get them in cerain schools in Australia. "I've had kids and I know what it's like. He loves it here but I understand why he's going."'" www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 166&type=1 The 'Super League' will feel a little less 'Super' next season. All the best Pat and thanks for the memories!

Quote Shaun was also asked about the departure of Pat Richards at the end of the season which the Club announced earlier in the day,'" Quote "He told me a couple of weeks ago but I admire him. He's a good man and what a lot of people don't know is that behind the scenes he does a lot for the team. How honest he is in team meetings - he's an outstanding individual and I wanted to give him another contract but his mind was set. "He has his kids to look after and I wasn't going to push him that hard. "He said to me a few weeks ago that his kids are getting to ages where they are trying to get them in cerain schools in Australia. "I've had kids and I know what it's like. He loves it here but I understand why he's going."'" www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 166&type=1 The 'Super League' will feel a little less 'Super' next season. All the best Pat and thanks for the memories!

I have to admit to feeling more than a little upset when I heard the news at the game last night.

Mossop?
Hock?
Even Sam.

I don't mind those losses, as I think we're all geared up to lose Sam, Hock hasn't played and we have cover for Moose.

But Pat ?????

My daughter has never known a Wigan without Pat Richards.

The guy is a hero to many - Even my wife loves him, and she's only ever been to a handful of RL matches.

No qualms about him leaving at the end of his contract. Kudos for not walking out (like so many before), and I have absolutely no doubt that he will continue to play to the best of his ability until the very last game (again, unlike so many before).

But my gods, we're going to miss him.

His kicking (both the goals and the cross-fields), the strength, the leap and the finishing, not to mention the leadership.

Really sorry to see you go Pat, but IMO, we owe you plenty - You have given so much to this team over the 8 years that you owe Wigan absolutely nothing.

Finally, I don't watch NRL, due to it not being on Virgin any longer, but I hope you can finish with a bang (and preferably one more GF ring from each hemisphere).