Richard Swain

NZ-born, but raised in Tamworth, Swain moved to Newcastle where he attended University. After being selected for I’warra Under 21s in 1994, he asked Newcastle lower grade coach Peter Sharp for a trial when he couldn’t transfer his degree course to Wollongong. A member of the Knights’ reserve grade team that won the 1995 premiership, Swain made his first grade debut with Super League club Hunter Mariners in 1997, playing hooker, lock and centre. Swain claimed the first grade hooker role at Melbourne and in 1999, played his part in the Storms’ miraculous grand final win against St George I’warra. Despite Melbourne’s troubled 2000-01 seasons, Swain marked himself as tough competitor (playing in 100 consecutive games with the club) and a relentless defender (much was made of his becoming the first player to make 1000 tackles in the 2001 season). After playing in 20 Tests for the Kiwis between 1999 and 2002, he was cut from Melbourne at the end of the season and joined the Broncos. The following year he left Brisbane for English club Hull.