NRL 2023: Pat Carrigan signs monster Brisbane Broncos extension

Brisbane has secured the best young forward in the game after future Broncos captain Pat Carrigan signed one of the most important extensions in years.

Brisbane have won the battle for Pat Carrigan’s signature with the Broncos securing the Queensland Origin star in a $4 million retention coup.

The Broncos have staved off interest from six NRL rivals, including Melbourne and Canberra, to retain the Brisbane ironman ahead of their derby blockbuster against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.

Craig Bellamy’s Storm and Ricky Stuart’s Raiders were among the clubs that had formally expressed interest in Carrigan, along with two Sydney-based clubs.

But the Broncos have got their man, with Carrigan refusing to follow the lead of Dolphins defectors Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler and inking a four-year extension.

The reigning Wally Lewis Medallist was already contracted until the end of 2024 and Brisbane have extended Carrigan’s tenure until 2028 in his quest to be a Bronco for life.

The Broncos were a club under siege following the loss of Farnworth and Flegler, but the retention of Carrigan, a future captain, is a shot in the arm for a Brisbane club looking to snap a 17-year title drought.

The Broncos have won the battle to retain Patrick Carrigan, signing a monster four-year extension. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

“I’m here for the long haul and I’m excited about what we can achieve together over the years ahead,” Carrigan said.

“I love this club and I could never imagine leaving - we are building something special here together and I wanted to make a long-term commitment to be a part of that.

“A lot of us guys have been through the tough times together and now we are starting to show signs of what we can do if we work hard and work for each other.”

It is understood Carrigan’s upgraded deal is worth at least $800,000 a season, sweet reward for the 25-year-old following his rise to representative honours with Queensland and Australia last season.

Carrigan’s manager confirmed the World Cup winner had major interest from other clubs, but his preference was to stay at the Broncos.

“There were genuine offers from other clubs and I have contacted those clubs to let them know Pat is staying,” his manager Jeff Jurotte said.

“I spoke to Melbourne and Canberra and let them know Pat agreed to stay, thanks for your interest.

“I kept those clubs in the loop, but he was always hopeful of staying and the Broncos came up with the right terms.

Carrigan says has no intention of leaving Red Hill and this deal will keep him at Red Hill until the end of 2028, Picture: Getty Images.

“Pat tossed and turned and weighed up the interest.

“He didn’t go to the Dolphins this year for a reason, he thinks the Broncos are building a really good footy team and they have a good young core of players.

“He is a Queensland kid, his future is tied for another five years and he wants to win a premiership with the club.

“He is ecstatic with the deal.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters lauded Carrigan’s loyalty in the lead-up to the Cowboys showdown at Suncorp.

“This is a great day for the Broncos because Pat embodies what we are about as a club and he is at the heart of what we are building here together,” he said.

“He has grown as a player through our club’s Academy system, going on to captain our NYC team before graduating to the NRL squad and building into the player that he is today - and the impressive thing is that all he wants to do is continue to improve.

“We were all incredibly proud of what Pat achieved last year because we all saw how hard he worked to come back from serious injury, it was an inspiration to all of us here at the Broncos.

“He is a key part of everything we do and to have him commit to the Broncos for another four years is really special - I’m really excited for what lies ahead for both Pat and for everyone at our club.”