Broncos rookie Pat Carrigan studying physiotherapy for a life outside football

A 21-year-old forward who has played four first grade matches for Brisbane this year and hopes to face the Roosters, Pat Carrigan is also making notes on what around the football games.

Pat Carrigan is also hitting up the books. Image: Peter Wallis

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It’s not quite a case of “physician, heal thyself’’, but Pat Carrigan is making use of his physiotherapy studies around the Broncos.

NRL clubs encourage young players to study or work outside football and Carrigan, the 2015 school captain of Gregory Terrace, is in the third year of a four-year physiotherapy course at the University of Queensland after getting an OP-2 pass from his Year 12 studies.

The 21-year-old forward has played four first grade matches this year and hopes to be in the 17-man squad so he can take on some of the NRL’s most formidable “mids’’ in Friday’s clash with the Roosters.

Pat Carrigan is also hitting up the books. Image: Peter Wallis

“A really cool thing for me is to be around the physios when the other boys and myself have needed treatment,’’ Carrigan said.

“It’s almost like a clinic every day. I’m getting to play footy which I love and get some exposure to it as well.

“The stuff I’ve learned has showed me the importance of looking after my injuries. I have plenty to learn.

“My mum and dad said to me (to get some) education because you are only one thing away from not being able to make it in footy. Physio for me really came about because I love sport — I couldn’t imagine myself sitting in an office.’’

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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold’s choice between Carrigan and David Fifita as the forward to drop out of the team to accommodate James Segeyaro comers down to what type of additional forward he needed most against the Roosters.

Carrigan is there for the long haul, having re-signed to the end of 2022 after a season in which was he was the captain of a Queensland under-20 side which beat NSW.

In both Carrigan and Fifita, 19, he has hunger to improve as both came to red Hill for extra training last Saturday, the day after Carrigan‘s fourth NRL match in which covered 106m with the ball in 10 runs in his 24 minutes.

Carrigan is averaging 19 minutes per NRL game, for 64 run metres per match and 11 tackles.

Carrigan is using every element of his football experience. Image: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“That was just me and Davie trying to make sure if the opportunity comes with more minutes we aren’t going to let the boys down — everyone does extras,’’ Carrigan said.

“You pinch yourselves sometimes (about playing first grade). We just want to compete, all of us. There are no backward steps.’’

Carrigan was 18th man and watched from the sidelines alongside Payne Haas at the Sydney Cricket Ground six weeks ago when Brisbane stumbled to a 36-4 loss to the Roosters.

“It wasn’t the best result but I think we’ve come a long way. It’s round 10 and we are building towards something,’’ he said.

There is already a life after footy for this young bloke. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

The Goondiwindi product said he has so far not had an NRL moment on field for which he had not been prepared by his Broncos under-20s campaigns and his Intrust Super Cup exposure.

“That’s not to say it won’t come,’’ he said.

“Last year Payne and I were out at Wynnum and we struggled a bit, didn’t do so well early. As tough as it was, it’s helped me this year. I do notice around the halves (in the NRL), they are a lot sharper.’’

Despite two years of First XV rugby union for Terrace in the lock and No.8 positions, Carrigan said his family influence meant there was only one professional destination for him in sport.

“It was always league, league, league,’’ he said.