Broncos next forward superstar Pat Carrigan rejects huge bid from the Canterbury Bulldogs
Brisbane have staved off a poaching raid for the club’s next big thing, a player who Darren Lockyer believes will be the find of 2019.
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Brisbane have staved off a poaching raid for one of the code’s next forward superstars with young gun Pat Carrigan rejecting a $1 million bid from the Bulldogs in his quest to be a 10-year Bronco.
Carrigan will make his senior Broncos debut on Saturday night in a trial against Souths Logan at Warwick and is rated Brisbane’s next ironman in the mould of Origin hardmen Josh McGuire and Corey Parker.
Such is Brisbane’s regard for Carrigan, the Broncos moved to retain the 21-year-old to replace Cowboys recruit McGuire when three NRL rivals - Canberra, Newcastle and Canterbury - targeted the young gun over summer.
The Bulldogs went hard for the Queensland under-20s skipper, with club legend Chris Anderson flying to Brisbane last year to meet with Carrigan armed with a lucrative three-year NRL contract.
When chief enforcer David Klemmer quit the Bulldogs, Canterbury upped the ante to poach Carrigan, but Brisbane delivered an emphatic riposte, securing the forward sensation to an upgraded deal until the end of 2022.
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer believes Carrigan can be the discovery of 2019 and the Junior Kangaroos star has rocketed into contention for the NRL season-opener against Melbourne _ starting on Saturday in his Brisbane baptism.
Leading NRL coaches Nathan Brown, Ricky Stuart and Dean Pay all liked the look of Carrigan, but the 104kg workhorse is determined to be part of Brisbane’s next generation hungry for another Broncos title.
“The Bulldogs went really hard for Pat,” said his agent Jeff Jurotte.
“We received interest from several NRL clubs but Canterbury led the way. They flew up and had meetings with Pat and myself, we spoke for about four or five hours and they were really determined to get him.
“I was up front with the Broncos _ I said there is a good offer from the Bulldogs on the table.
“But Pat said, ‘It’s not all about the money, I want to back myself and make it here at the Broncos, I want to play for the club for the next 10 years’.
“He is the most mature, dedicated young player I have ever seen.
“Pat is a born leader. He was school captain at Gregory Terrace, he captained the Queensland under-20s last year and he can be a future captain of the Broncos.”
In his maiden year in the Intrust Super Cup last season, Carrigan excelled against hardened bookends. The Wynnum Manly rookie averaged 67 minutes, 148 metres and 35 tackles per game _ the type of numbers synonymous with former Broncos hardmen McGuire and Parker.
Brisbane assistant coach Kurt Richards, who will take charge of the Baby Broncos in Warwick, confirmed Carrigan is pushing for an NRL debut in round one against the Storm.
“Certainly that is one of Patty’s goals (to play NRL this year),” Richards said.
“We see him as someone that can fill a hole for us. He has a few things to work on, but he’s a great talent and this game is a good chance for him.
“With Josh McGuire moving on, the young guys like Pat have an opportunity now.
“He reminds me of Jai Arrow (Titans’ Origin forward) with his workrate and effort and what he brings in that regard.
“Once he fixes the little things, he has the effort areas to be a very good player.”
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