Melbourne and Canberra ready to poach Pat Carrigan from Broncos

Pat Carrigan is considered a future captain of the Broncos, but does his future lie at Red Hill? Not if some clubs around the league have their way, as they prepare to pounce on the rising star.

Payne Haas spoke to the media on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

Broncos ironman Pat Carrigan has become one of the most sought-after forwards in the code with six clubs, including Melbourne and Canberra, ready to launch big-money poaching bids for the Queensland Origin star.

News Corp can reveal the fresh retention battle the Broncos face to keep World Cup Test forward Carrigan at Red Hill in the lead-up to Friday night’s derby blockbuster against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos suffered a double body blow last week when rising stars Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler revealed they were quitting Brisbane at season’s end to join expansion rivals the Dolphins from next season.

Now Brisbane lock Carrigan is in the sights of NRL suitors, with the Storm and Raiders among a raft of rival clubs who have lodged expressions of interest for State of Origin’s reigning Wally Lewis Medallist.

Two Sydney-based clubs are also circling the former Queensland under-20s skipper.

Off-contract at the end of next year, Carrigan is a free agent from November 1 this year and a number of clubs are armed with offers in excess of $800,000 a season in a bid to blow Brisbane out of the water.

Could Pat Carrigan be another Bronco to depart from Red Hill? Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

But the Broncos are up for the fight.

Brisbane recruitment-and-retention chiefs are mindful of the interest in Carrigan and are certain to begin extension talks to ensure the workhorse of the Broncos pack does not follow Farnworth and Flegler at the Red Hill exits.

Former Queensland Origin lock Scott Sattler says the Broncos cannot afford to lose Carrigan following the Dolphins defections of Flegler and Farnworth.

“Pat has become one of the premier middle forwards in the game,” Sattler said.

“His skill level for a big man sets him apart from a majority of others.

“Most importantly he’s a future captain of one of the biggest brands in Australian sport.

“It would be good to see Pat stay at the Broncos. As a player that has come through the system, like the Panthers players, it’s always satisfying to lead the charge of juniors and win a comp together.”

It is understood the Storm first expressed interest in January, while the Raiders, who have missed out on Titans hulk David Fifita, also have Carrigan on their radar.

Carrigan is on around $500,000 this season, but a ratchet clause in his contract means his salary will rise by 18 per cent in the coming weeks, commensurate to the increase in the NRL salary cap once the code’s new $1 billion CBA deal is finalised.

Carrigan knocked back interest from the Dolphins last year to ink a two-year extension at Brisbane and the Broncos are hoping the 25-year-old will stay loyal again as the club builds their success around Payne Haas and the Maroons forward.

Queensland legend Scott Sattler believes Carrigan could eventually captain the Broncos. – Photo Steve Pohlner

In terms of succession planning, Brisbane regard Haas and Carrigan as the central pillars of their pack.

A number of NRL rivals are hoping the Australian World Cup winner will head to free agency later this year, but the Broncos are expected to move quickly with a bumper upgrade to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Melbourne’s forward unit has been decimated by the loss of Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi to the Dolphins and Storm coach Craig Bellamy is a huge fan of Carrigan’s work ethic and maturity.

The Storm poached Carrigan’s Queensland Origin teammate, Xavier Coates, from the Broncos last year.

Carrigan was outstanding against the Panthers last week and, speaking on the eve of the Penrith clash, he told News Corp of his burning desire to win a premiership at the Broncos.

“It’s important I keep getting better,” he said.

“One of my best mates is Payne Haas and he goes to another level every year and he has been performing since he was 18.

“I won’t get complacent in what I do. I haven’t really accomplished anything here at the Broncos.

“First and foremost I want to be winning comps here in a Broncos jersey.”

HAAS REVEALS TOLL OF FAMILY TURMOIL AMID MUM’S COURT RETURN

– Robert Craddock and Callum Dick

Payne Haas says an off-season of turmoil has not hampered his commitment to the Broncos as the Brisbane enforcer prepares to face the Cowboys on Friday night only a day after his mother returns to court charged with manslaughter.

The 23-year-old was granted leave by the Broncos during pre-season following the December crash on the Gold Coast which left three people dead and his mother, Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua, in jail.

Taufua will face court on Thursday charged with three counts of manslaughter and one charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police, and driving without a license.

Haas had remained mostly silent on the issue prior to training on Monday, where he thanked those close to him for their support.

“It’s been all right – obviously I’m just here to play footy and I keep that stuff away (from the field),” said Haas, who became engaged to partner Leilani Mohenoa over the weekend.

“I have some good people around me, so it hasn’t hit me as much as people think it has.”

Payne Haas at Broncos training. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos will need Haas at his barnstorming best if they are to arrest a two-game losing skid against the Cowboys, who dominated the derby battle between the Queensland rivals last year.

Todd Payten’s side won both meetings by a combined 40 points, including a 38-12 thumping in the corresponding fixture at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane boasts a 36-20 head-to-head record over North Queensland but “little brother” has won four of the past five, leading Cowboys playmaker Chad Townsend to claim his side is now “big brother” in the rivalry.

“Yeah they have a right to say that, they’ve beaten us the past few times,” Haas conceded.

“But we’ll look to get that back this week.

“They put some scores on us in both games (last season) and it’s something we’re not proud of – especially at Suncorp last year, they pulled our pants down.”

In a major boost the Broncos are set to welcome Reece Walsh back from the eye injury that kept him out of the Round 1 win over reigning premiers Penrith, with the star fullback training freely at Red Hill on Monday.

“It’s good to have Walshy back,” Haas said.

Haas spoke to the media ahead of his side’s clash with the Cowboys. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We’ve seen in trials what he can do so we can’t wait to have him back this weekend.”

The challenge now for the Broncos is to keep the momentum going after their shock upset of the reigning premiers on their home turf.

Haas said the Broncos’ impressive defensive grit against the Panthers’ lethal attack was a major cornerstone of the victory, which had been built through continuity in the team over the past few years.

“Obviously we knew it was going to be a tough task for us going to Penrith, especially because they lost that World Club Challenge a few weeks before that,” he said.

“We knew we would have to be on our game and yeah, (I am) pretty proud of the boys’ effort, especially in defence.

“Obviously knowing what we do in defence and knowing each other inside and out (has helped). We put a lot of trust in each other now.”

Friday’s clash with the Cowboys is the first of five-straight games at Suncorp Stadium and Kevin Walters’ side has a gilt-edged opportunity to start the season at a canter.