Words: Staff Writer
Image: Getty Images

Talismanic Brisbane Strikers winger Jonti Richter will return in yellow-and-blue for the 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season, the club has confirmed.

Richter, 31, was Strikers Player of the Year in 2013, however endured a frustrating 2014 campaign as a persistent foot injury limited his time on the field.

However, Richter said despite his ongoing injury problems, his only concern about re-signing with the 2014 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Semi-Finalists was the change of head coach.

“There was no doubt about me continuing playing, but obviously with a new coach I thought ‘who knows what happens, they might not be keen to keep me’,” he confided.

Richter further clarified, “If I had any doubt, it was just the tiniest little bit.”

“With Chay (Hews) calling it a day I thought ‘where does this leave me with the club?’, (after) obviously having not had a great season again injury-wise.”

“I definitely in my heart wanted to play on because I didn’t want to end on that and if I stopped playing now I’d miss it.”

Dismissing thw inger's concerns, recently appointed Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said he was “delighted” Richter had signed on for next year’s campaign.

A'herne-Evans further admitted that he was a fan of Richter’s talents after facing the former Hyundai A-League player several times as a coach and player while at Sunshine Coast Fire.

“Facing the Brisbane Strikers in years gone by I could see Jonti was a ‘go to’ player for them in those games”, A’herne-Evans explained.

“As a defender I dreaded playing against players of Jonti’s ability as he can be direct and get at the defender or come inside and combine.”

“If you stand off him his delivery is great, and then there is his finishing off either foot – which is also great.”

A’Herne-Evans also pointed to Richter’s attitude off the park and suggested he would be massively influential next season.

“What has impressed me in relation to Jonti is that spark and enthusiasm he has to make the Brisbane Strikers successful again”, A’herne-Evans explained.

“He is excellent around the club and demands high standards from team mates.”

Richter said his aims for the new season were an improvement on last year’s fourth-placed finish in the league and Round of 16 return in the Westfield FFA Cup.

“Kevin is focused on all competitions and doing well, and it’s great to have that sort of pressure that you are expected to do well in all these competitions, rather than just having a game every week,” Richter said.

He also pointed to the addition of experienced campaigners Greig Henslee and Trent Clulow as a catalyst to push the returning members of the squad in 2015.

“Competition within our team is never a bad thing and hopefully we can go a bit futher than we did this year – not just in our league but also in the FFA Cup”, Richter concluded.