Legendary NRL powerbroker Shane Richardson eyes switch to troubled Wests Tigers

It’s a potential decade-defining week at the Wests Tigers as the club counts down to a crucial board meeting – and a veteran administrator could be the big winner.

Is Shane Richardson the boost the Tigers need? Picture: NRL Photos

Veteran NRL powerbroker Shane Richardson has been linked with a move to the troubled Wests Tigers.

It comes in the countdown to the handing down of recommendations of the recent independent review by Tony Crawford.

Interestingly, Richardson formed a very close working relationship with Crawford when the two worked together at the NRL during Dave Smith’s term as chief executive.

It is expected Crawford’s review will lead to some dramatic changes.

There has been mounting pressure on Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and chief executive Justin Pascoe, while the club has also been reportedly searching for a new general manager of football.

Richardson has been unable to be contacted for comment, but the speculation linking him to the Tigers has been doing the rounds within the NRL in recent days and is gaining momentum.

Former South Sydney boss Shane Richardson has been linked to the Wests Tigers. Picture: Gregg Porteous, NRL Photos

Richardson has the runs on the board to handle either the chief executive or GM role equally well if the Tigers decide to head in a new direction.

Richardson is one of the game’s most experienced and successful administrators who has worked at the top level for more than 25 years.

He worked previously at South Sydney in roles ranging from chief executive to GM of football, and was instrumental in building the foundations on the road to the Rabbitohs’ drought-breaking premiership in 2014.

He was also at Penrith working alongside John Lang when the Panthers won the comp in 2003, while prior to that he and Lang formed a formidable combination at Cronulla.

Richardson has also been working as a consultant as part of the Brisbane Tigers’ bid to get an NRL licence.

In more recent years, he also set up a company with his son Brent, Rich Media, to promote athlete brand awareness. Their clients include big name NRL personalities Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis.