Brisbane Broncos 2021: Patrick Carrigan admits his 2021 form is not up to his usual standards

The players understand perfectly well that major Broncos renovations are just around the corner if results don’t improve as Kevin Walters ‘draws a line in the sand’.

Broncos prop Matt Lodge.

Broncos forward Pat Carrigan admits his form in 2021 has been poor as coach Kevin Walters puts the entire Brisbane squad on notice after dropping Anthony Milford.

The selection bombshell has left the entire Broncos playing group wary of their own position as Walters “draws a line in the sand” in a bid to stamp out mediocrity at the club.

After a 1-4 start to the season, Carrigan said the players knew they had to find some winning form or risked being dropped to the Intrust Super Cup.

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Pat Carrigan has revealed Kevin Walters has put the entire Brisbane squad on notice.

“It’s pretty clear if you want to be a Bronco, you have to win a footy match,” Carrigan said.

“(Kevvie) just addressed everyone and it was quite clear.

“For some of us, our performances haven’t been up to scratch.

“Kevvie is a passionate Bronco and he knows what he wants to see in that jersey.

“He said he hasn’t been seeing that so, with that, will come changes and I’m fully supportive of Kevvie making those decisions for where we want to go to this season.”

Carrigan makes his return this week against the Panthers after serving a one-match suspension for a grade one crusher tackle in Round 4.

Carrigan is the first to admit his form this year is below his usual standards.

The 23-year-old has copped criticism for his performance this season, having made some poor handling errors in the opening rounds of the competition as well as being steamrolled by Melbourne centre Justin Olam two weeks ago.

Carrigan conceded he was not pleased with the way he had been playing recently and hoped to use Thursday’s clash as a chance to improve.

“I haven’t been that happy with my own performance,” he said. “I’ve probably drifted away from the standard I was at last year. A good thing for me is that I’ve only had three or four games so far and I know where I want to be.

“I’ve had chats with Kevvie about what I want to achieve and where he thinks I can get to and he’s the best man to help me improve.

“Individually, I’m not quite happy with where I’m at (but) Thursday is a good opportunity for me to get back with Payne (Haas) and some of the other guys and put in a performance that I’m happy with.”

‘We’ve got kids more talented than that Penrith team’

Brisbane enforcer Matt Lodge has vented his frustration at the club’s recent run of poor form but believes the playing group still has more talent than their top-of-the-table opposition this week.

The Broncos are 1-4 to start the 2021 season, prompting coach Kevin Walters to drop several star players such as Anthony Milford and Tesi Niu ahead of Thursday’s clash with Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos enforcer is confident the tide will turn at Red Hill. Picture: Peter Wallis

Many of the Brisbane players are down on confidence and form, following back-to-back wallopings at the hands of Melbourne and South Sydney but Lodge was confident the tide will turn at Red Hill.

The Brisbane front rower didn’t hold back when asked if the club’s recent form had been frustrating.

“Some people don’t understand but it f---s your whole life to be honest,” Lodge said on Monday. “It’s been a little bit (frustrating) and it’s tough but we’re still grateful.

“We’re professional athletes and we come in here, working hard and the tide is definitely going to turn with this group.

“Once that clicks in some people’s heads and their confidence is on, it’s a different ball game.

“We’ve got kids here that are just as talented, if not more than, that Penrith team.

“One day it’s going to click for them.”

Lodge came up through the ranks at Penrith, playing for the Panthers in the Harold Matthews Cup in 2010 before going on to play in their NYC team in 2012.

Matt Lodge is frustrated by the club’s disappointing start to the season. Picture: Peter Wallis

He said there was no room for error if the Broncos had any chance of defeating his junior club.

“Our game doesn’t come down to our halves,” he said after news of Milford’s axing.

“They make crucial decisions but we’re going to need 17 on to compete with the best side in the competition.

“They play a good style of footy, backyard footy.

“I grew up with a lot of those guys and I know them … but we’re going to have to pack our shovels and have a dig because it’s going to be a tough game.

“We don’t enjoy losing so we’ll turn up.”