Why boom Broncos forward Pat Carrigan gave up $1 million to stay with Brisbane

Boom Broncos rookie Pat Carrigan turned down a $1 million deal with the Bulldogs to stay loyal and remain in Brisbane as he attempts to win the club’s iconic No. 13 jersey.

Patrick Carrigan in action during Brisbane Broncos training at Clive Berghofer Field in Brisbane, Thursday, September 5, 2019. The Broncos are playing the Bulldogs in their round 25 NRL clash in Sydney on Saturday night. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

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Brisbane young gun Pat Carrigan says not even tales of the “Dogs of War” from his Canterbury-mad uncle could convince him to quit the Broncos to chase an NRL career at Belmore.

Carrigan’s showdown with Canterbury in the final round of the regular season at ANZ Stadium carries extra meaning, because it was the Bulldogs who launched a $1 million poaching bid on the rookie workhorse last summer.

When chief enforcer David Klemmer quit the Bulldogs to join Newcastle, Canterbury went hard for Carrigan, with club legend Chris Anderson flying north for talks armed with a lucrative three-year deal.

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Carrigan has been starting in recent weeks. Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images.

A self-confessed “family man”, Carrigan weighed up joining the family club, but was determined to carve out a successful career at the Broncos after a childhood idolising lock legends Corey Parker and Tonie Carroll.

The decision to ink a new deal until the end of 2022 has paid off, with Carrigan making his NRL debut in round five, tallying 18 games and cracking the starting team for the first time against Parramatta last week in the famous No.13 jumper.

“When a few clubs were keen, the temptations were there and you want to play first grade every week,” said the 21-year-old.

Carrigan is one of Brisbane’s many young talents. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

“The Bulldogs are a great club, they have won a few comps in their time and one of my uncles is a mad Dogs fans – he would talk about the Dogs of War and great players like Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason and Mark O’Meley.

“But then I looked at the opportunity to learn from guys here.

“Even last year, Sam Thaiday was an Origin legend and if I had to come to Red Hill every day to compete with him to win a spot, it would make me a better player than if I got an NRL jumper easily.

“I always wanted to stay in Brisbane. I’m a family man and probably a bit of a sook.

“I thought about stepping out of my comfort zone and testing myself in Sydney, but the Broncos have been great to me and that was my No.1 goal. I’m glad I stayed.”

Groomed for the past two years to succeed Queensland Origin lock Josh McGuire, Carrigan has impressed with his no-nonsense workrate and the Broncos under-20s skipper is viewed as a future captain.

“Pat is a bit of a favourite of mine,” Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said.

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“He has a great work ethic and is a very humble and hardworking guy.

“He has got great leadership qualities for such a young guy and deserves the No.13 jersey for this game.

“He has progressed probably a little bit quicker than what we thought. He has played some first grade for us and has been really consistent.

“I like guys who work hard and I like guys who you know what you are going to get. Patty is a seven out of 10 every day at training and in every single game so far.

“He will be competing for that No.13 jersey in the short and long term.”

Carrigan takes inspiration from former club ironman Parker and ferocious hitting machine Carroll.

“Cozza was a personal favourite of mine, and so was Tonie Carroll. He used to be able to hit blokes and they would struggle to get up,” he said.

“When you are in the middle, ‘Seibs’ calls it the washing machine, you have to keep turning up and win the tackles for your outside backs.

“I pride myself on my defence but most middles pride themselves on that.”