Richard Williams (rugby league)

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Richie Williams
fullname = Richard Williams
nickname = Possum


caption =
country =
position = Five-Eighth / Centre
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|5|31|df=yes
placeofbirth = Moruya, New South Wales
countryofbirth = Australia
height = 182 cm (5 ft 11 in)
weight = 92 kg (14 st 6 lb)
club1 = leagueicon|St. George|size=16 St. George Illawarra
year1start = 2007
year1end =
appearances1 = 8
tries1 = 5
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 20
club2 = leagueicon|Penrith|size=16 Penrith Panthers
year2start = 2007
year2end =
appearances2 = 4
tries2 = 1
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 4
updated = 16:02, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
source =

Richard "Richie" Williams (born 31 May, 1986 in Moruya, New South Wales), an Indigenous Australian, is a professional rugby league footballer, currently with the Penrith Panthers club. He previously played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Williams' position of choice is at five-eighth.

Controversy

In 2007, Richie Williams was charged with assault, after an incident in the town of Narooma, New South Wales [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21362697-23214,00.html Fox Sport, 12 March, 2007 Story: "Dragon fights serious charge"] .]

Also in 2007, Richie Williams created controversy after publicly sledging rival Sydney Roosters player Braith Anasta prior to a game between their respective clubs; a game in which both Williams and his club were considerably dominated by Anasta and the Roosters respectively. Williams was demoted to premier league by coach Nathan Brown soon afterwards. [Sydney Morning Herald, 2 May, 2007. Story: "Anastradamus was right: Williams demoted" [http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/anastradamus-was-right-williams-demoted/2007/05/01/1177788131906.html] ] Williams was also involved in an altercation with controversial Bulldogs player Willie Mason over the issue. [Sydney Morning Herald, 1 May, 2007. Story:"Williams, Mason in nightclub row" [http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/williams-mason-in-nightclub-row/2007/04/30/1177788056594.html] ]

Although Williams returned to first-grade with the Dragons, he was eventually released mid-season and signed a contract with the Panthers for the remainder of the year and 2008. [cite news|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|title=Williams joins Panthers |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21925035-5001023,00.html |accessdate=2008-01-02|date=2007-06-18]

Williams in mid-May 2008 was sacked by the Panthers following an unknown incident.cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/williams-fights-axe/2008/05/17/1210765249728.html|title=Williams fights axe|publisher=LeagueHQ|date=2008-05-18|accessdate=2008-05-12]

Career highlights

* "First Grade Debut:" 2007 - Round 1, Gold Coast Titans vs Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, 18 March, scoring two tries

References

External links

* [http://www.panthers.com.au/default.aspx?id=988 Richie Williams Penrith Panther profile]

ee also

*List of Rugby league incidents