NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos emerge as potential finalists as Red Hill resurgence continues

The wheels of change are in full swing at the Brisbane Broncos with a potential surge up the ladder and expected to start favourite in their next three games. Where do finals fit in the mix?

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 03: Jessica Sergis of the Roosters is tackled during the NRLW Semi Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval, on April 03, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Broncos enforcer Pat Carrigan has sent a warning to rival teams that Brisbane have a finals team that will “shock’’ the competition.

With three wins a row, including the impressive scalps of Cronulla and South Sydney, confidence is rising the Broncos can make their first finals appearance in three years.

If they beat Manly in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night it would be their best winning streak since Wayne Bennett’s 2017 team won six in a row.

“I think we can shock a few people this season,’’ said Carrigan, who muscled up for one of the best games of his career returning from a knee injury against the Rabbitohs.

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Patrick Carrigan has been in strong form for the Broncos. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

“As a club, we’ve had some tough times the last few years, so it would be massive to play finals football this year.

“I believe we have a finals roster and we have to perform accordingly. I know the guys at the start of the year talked about the potential we have in this place, but we haven’t turned it into consistent performances. But this is an opportunity for us to play finals footy and test us out and see how far we can go in the competition.’’

Bookmakers have slashed the Broncos premiership odds in half to $32, a quote which still ranks their chances of another title as unlikely. But they are now considered odds-on to make the final eight.

The Broncos have the potential to surge up the ladder and are expected to start favourite in their next three games against Manly, the Titans and the Raiders.

Skipper Adam Reynolds stole the show with a commanding performance against Souths but Carrigan’s robust running and tackling was a key plank in the victory, especially with forward leaders Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell out injured.

“We have had some bad luck with injuries to Payne and Kurt but we are trying to drive a next-man-up mentality.’’

Match hungry Carrigan hit the Rabbitohs like an uncoiled spring. He had missed most of last season after rupturing an ACL in May and was sidelined for a month after another knee injury this season.

“It’s been tough mentally. I went 22 years without getting a major injury and then I’ve had a few back-to-back, but I need to look at it overall and I’ve been pretty lucky to have a good run with injuries over my career.

“I was just missing footy. It was good to get back out there and play. The younger guys are stepping up so it’s pleasing to put in the work during the week and get the results.’’

Reynolds’ calm demeanour on an off the field remains a major force in the club’s revival and Carrigan said that had enhanced his enjoyment in the game.

“It’s great to have guys like Reyno at the club. He is a breath of fresh air around the place and he is making me love my footy. When you come to training, you might be in rehab but Reyno makes sure you don’t feel too distant or separated from the group.’’

Rejuvenated Bronco’s contract plea

Corey Oates has declared he wants to finish his career at the Broncos and implored the club to keep faith in him as the off-contract cult figure fights to secure a new deal at Brisbane.

Oates goes into this Friday’s Magic Round clash against Manly without a deal for next season despite an outstanding past month of football, headlined by his strong display in Thursday night’s 32-12 rout of the Rabbitohs.

Dumped by coach Kevin Walters from the top grade last year, Oates has cut a rejuvenated figure this season and is back in the Queensland Origin conversation after his promising start to the 2022 premiership.

But as Brisbane approach the mid-point of their NRL campaign, Oates is the highest-profile Bronco still off-contract, triggering speculation salary-cap pressures could force the former Maroons flyer out of Red Hill.

Oates has been linked with the Dolphins by virtue of his association with the new franchise’s coach Wayne Bennett, but the revitalised 27-year-old has appealed for the Broncos not to cut him adrift.

“My preference is to stay,” said Oates, who produced a try, 111 metres, a try assist, one line break and two tackle busts to spearhead Brisbane’s belting of the Bunnies.

“I have been at the Broncos for 10 years so it would be nice to stay on.

“When you have been at one club for so long, you want to finish your career where you started.

“Not everyone sets out to do that, but it’s been a dream of mine to always play for the Broncos and to have been here for a decade, it’s hard to walk away, so hopefully the club wants to keep me.

“I have to keep looking after my body and maintaining my form and if I do that, hopefully another contract comes off the back of that.”

Corey Oates is intent on staying a Bronco.

Oates faces the prospect of a pay cut to remain at the Broncos.

The veteran of 179 NRL games is one of Brisbane’s highest-paid players on around $500,000 this season, but with the Broncos fighting to retain off-contract Herbie Farnworth, Oates may have to sacrifice dollars to become a one-club legend.

“I have been in this situation being off-contract a couple of times and I know I have to perform this season,” Oates said.

“I’ll be honest, I haven’t even spoken to my management about my contract. We had an agreement at the start of the year not to talk about it. I’m leaving it to my manager so I can focus on playing good football.

“If I’m doing my job well, it makes my manager’s job easier.”

After nine rounds, Oates is averaging 163 running metres per game – the best output of his 10-year career – and is vying with Xavier Coates and Kyle Feldt for Queensland wing spots for Origin I.

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns lauded Oates in Channel 9 commentary, saying his barnstorming runs typified Brisbane’s effort against the Rabbitohs.

“Everyone is saying I played well (against Souths), I thought I went all right,” he said.

“It was a solid performance, I wasn’t happy with everything but I’m just glad we are all getting better, myself included, and becoming more of an 80-minute team.”

Corey Oates has enjoyed a career renaissance this year.

NRL MARKET WATCH: SURPRISE SERGIS SUITOR EMERGES

— Nick Walshaw

Roosters premiership hero Jess Sergis is set to be headhunted by Wests Tigers as part of a bold NRLW pitch that also aims to develop the club’s huge catchment of female talent.

Making her hyped debut for the Tigers Harvey Norman side this Sunday, Sergis and fullback Botille Vette-Welsh are both part of a bold joint-venture blueprint for inclusion in 2023.

The revelation comes as NRL CEO Andrew Abdo hinted on Thursday that expansion of the women’s game could be fast-tracked to include as many as 10 teams next year – rather than the eight initially proposed.

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Tigers players Emily Curtain, Kezie Apps, Jess Sergis, Kelly Brown and Tess Staines.

Among the leading candidates for an NRLW licence, Wests Tigers have spent the past four years creating an extensive pathways system that goes all the way down to U13s football.

On Sunday, the club’s Harvey Norman side will also look to continue its unbeaten start to the season against North Sydney – having already secured wins over South Sydney and the Roosters.

The match also doubles as the club debut of NRLW star Sergis, who will play her first game after missing the opening fortnight with an ankle injury.

While the 24-year-old is among the most sought-after players in the game, and earned a premiership with Roosters in April, Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe revealed both her and Vette-Welsh were on the club’s hit list for 2023.

The pair are currently two of seven NRLW players on the Tigers Harvey Norman roster, with St George Illawarra mainstay Kezie Apps another.

“And we want to have all seven stay,” Pascoe said when quizzed about his inaugural NRLW team.

Jess Sergis played a huge part in the Roosters’ incredible premiership win.

“Like in any competitive environment, we’ll be going after the best players.

“But we’re also very excited about the pathways we’ve created, too.

“Between Balmain, Western Suburbs and Group 6, we’ve got just over 1200 players, which is a huge catchment.”

Back in March, League Central initially announced a two-tiered approach to expansion, that would see the code move to eight teams in 2023 and then 10 by 2024.

However, that could now be fast-tracked, with Wests Tigers among the lead contenders.

Apart from looking to secure the NRLW players already on its Harvey Norman roster – three of whom are locals — Pascoe also pointed to a pathways system that goes all the way down to junior football.

Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly show off their premiership rings.

Elsewhere, the club’s new Concord facilities will also dedicate an enormous space to its female program while plans are also in place for a Campbelltown Academy for aspiring players.

When the NRLW first asked for applications four years ago, the Wests Tigers opted to instead fund a pathways system that would create sustainable talent.

“And now we’re ready to be a perfect compliment for the current competition,” Pascoe said.

“We believe that having homegrown talent is a consequence of being a development club.

“And with the amount of investment we’ve put in – both through resources and finances – that’s the expectation moving forward.

“So we’re really excited.

Botille Vette-Welsh playing for Parramatta this year. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“Because everything we’re doing around our strategic objectives as a club involves women’s pathways and current programs.”

Asked about expanding to 10 teams in 2023, Abdo said: “The demand is there and if we are satisfied with the depth of talent, we will be able to grow even faster.

“We must invest at all levels of the game.”

“We’ve had a terrific response from clubs and we are also seeing interest from growth areas where there is already strong participation as opposed to movement of players.”

The proposal is expected to be discussed at an ARLC meeting next week, before a final decision is made on licences by July.