NRL 2024: The contenders to replace Tom Flegler in Brisbane Broncos’ front row

As the battle to replace Tom Flegler in Brisbane’s forward pack heats up, one young contender believes he brings more than just a hard edge to the side in 2024. Vote for Payne Haas’s front row partner.

Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan. Picture: Liam Kidston

Brisbane young gun Xavier Willison will do everything in his power to ensure Thomas Flegler won’t be missed at Red Hill after the former Broncos enforcer declared he “didn’t care” who was named to be his front row replacement.

The departure of Flegler, who was a key cog in Brisbane’s 2023 title tilt, to rivals the Dolphins and the exit of Keenan Palasia to the Gold Coast Titans has opened the door for the likes of Willison, 21, to make a mark in Kevin Walters’ engine room in 2024 alongside Payne Haas.

Earlier this month, Flegler bristled at questions about who should be his Broncos successor, declaring: “I don’t really care.

“It’s not really my problem, to be honest. I don’t really care what happens there.”

Replacing Flegler’s aggression up front won’t be easy for Walters but Willison has put his hand up to take up the challenge in 2024.

“I just think he’s just on his own journey and hopefully this is my journey now,” Willison said when asked about Flegler’s comments. “I’ve put my hand up (for a spot).

“I bring my own attributes. Fleg was his own player and I’m trying to be my own player (too). I’m just trying to make statement for myself. I’m not just a hard runner.

“Fleg was a pretty good mate of mine, on the field we used to talk a lot. He was older and had more experience, he used to show me what to do and teach some stuff on and off the field.”

Along with Willison, Walters also has options in Corey Jensen and Fletcher Baker to replace Flegler, the latter of which is the front runner to start the season at prop in round one against his former side, the Sydney Roosters, in Las Vegas.

It leaves Willison, who played seven games last year, all off the bench, vying for a spot on the bench alongside Jensen.

“Hopefully it’s a big year for me. I got through some injuries and I have a taste of first grade now so hopefully I can keep building on that and put my best foot forward,” Willison said.

Fletcher Bake (C) is tipped to start round 1 if fit. Picture: Liam Kidston

“That’s my goal to be in the 17. I’m in the middle and I enjoy being in the middle.

“There’s a few spots (opened up), some of the boys have obviously left from last year. I bring my own attributes to the team. I’m just doing what I can to bring my best for the team.”

Willison missed Brisbane’s surge into the grand final last year after picking up an ankle syndesmosis against the Melbourne Storm in the final regular round of the season.

“It was the worst timing but everything happens for a reason and I have just to trust the process and hopefully we are in the grand final this year and I’m available,” Willison said.

“I’m hoping I’ll be available for round one and hopefully I can maintain my position.”

TEAMMATE TARGETS CARRIGAN’S JERSEY

- Travis Meyn

Maroons and Kangaroos star Pat Carrigan is facing a fight for his beloved Broncos No. 13 jersey from teammate Kobe Hetherington.

Hetherington has declared he is chasing a promotion to Brisbane’s starting side on the back of representative prop Tom Flegler’s defection to the Dolphins.

Flegler is one of four players from last year’s Broncos grand final team to have departed Red Hill, following Herbie Farnworth to Redcliffe. Kurt Capewell (Warriors) and Keenan Palasia (Titans) have also exited.

Those departures have opened up spots in Brisbane’s top team, particularly the starting side.

Coach Kevin Walters has shifted Selwyn Cobbo from the wing to centre to replace Farnworth while Brendan Piakura will take Capewell’s spot on the left edge.

But Flegler’s starting prop position is still up for grabs as the Broncos enter the final month of pre-season training.

Carrigan has made the lock position his own over the past two seasons, but there have been suggestions he could shift to the front row alongside Payne Haas.

It doesn’t look like Walters will lean that way, but 55-gamer Hetherington has thrown his hand up for a starting position and is most comfortable at lock.

Kobe Hetherington is desperate to start. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Patrick Carrigan at pre-season training. Picture: Liam Kidston

“One hundred per cent (I want to start). It’s my third year in the NRL now and I want to start pushing for that starting role,” he said.

“Whatever Kevvie wants, I’ll do. But it’s something I’m going for.

“I do (speak about wanting to start) but it’s sort of out of my control. I’ve just got to keep working hard and pushing for it and hopefully get there one day.

“It (shifting Carrigan to prop) hasn’t really been discussed. He’s been training at lock.

“I’ve got to keep working hard and hopefully get there.”

Hetherington, 24, has been improving since his 2021 NRL debut but may be a victim of his own versatility.

He has been a crucial bench player for the Broncos given he can play any position from hooker to front row.

Hetherington produced a bellringing tackle coming off the bench in the late stages of the grand final loss to Penrith, but said he hadn’t been able to watch a replay of the heartbreaking defeat.

However some words of wisdom from his father Jason Hetherington, who lost the 1994 grand final against Canberra with Canterbury before winning the 1995 decider against Manly, had helped ease the pain.

Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I haven’t watched it yet. I’ve seen a few snippets and that, but it still hurts,” Kobe said.

“He (Jason) was disappointed for me. He’s been there. He’s lost one and won one so he knows what it’s like.

“He felt for all of us boys because of how hard we worked.

“It (playing in a grand final) is a feeling we’ve all had a taste of now and we definitely want more of it.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: The contenders to replace Tom Flegler in Brisbane Broncos’ front row