Pat O'Doherty


Pat O'Doherty is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Seagulls.

Club career

An Ipswich junior, O'Doherty was in the first-grade squad with them as early as 1986, along with players like Alan Langer, Kevin Walters and under coach Tommy Raudonikis.
O'Doherty made his first grade debut with the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1989. He played in the first 4 games of the year, all losses. He returned to first-grade in round 12 and remained in the starting team for the rest of the season. At one time, he undertook the goal kicking duties, making 11 conversions from 15 attempts.
O'Doherty was sent from the field in a game against Penrith in 1990 following an on-field brawl. O'Doherty plead his innocence, saying, "I didn't throw a punch, I didn't throw anything. I said to Chris Mortimer 'let's keep out of this because it's the last game'. The next thing I know I'm an instigator and off the field."
In 1990, O'Doherty played in a career-best 20 games, scoring his sole career try in the round 16 match against the Brisbane Broncos. Moments after scoring, his try was overshadowed by Pat performing what is highly regarded by fans as one of the greatest dives in Rugby League history when Bronco Gene Miles merely brushed past him in the in-goal.
However, with the arrival of new coach Warren Ryan and an influx of new players to Wests in 1991, O'Doherty signed a contract with the Gold Coast Seagulls. He stayed one season with them, playing in 7 games as the club finished last on the table claiming the wooden spoon.
O'Doherty spent one more season in first-grade, playing six games with Parramatta in 1992, mostly from the bench. In 1993, he was playing in a competition in Perth. In 2004, he was captain-coaching Lower Clarence in the Group 1 competition.

Footnotes