Brisbane Broncos have fought off interest from a number of NRL clubs, who were reportedly circling, to retain the services of their star forward Patrick Carrigan.
The Queensland and Australia representative, who won the Wally Lewis Medal in last year’s triumphant State of Origin series while also being a member of the Kangaroos’ World Cup-winning squad, has now committed his long-term future to the Broncos.
How many years has Patrick Carrigan re-signed with the Broncos for?
Carrigan has shown his faith in the project at Brisbane, as they attempt to reassert themselves as a powerhouse after some of the worst years in the club’s history in recent times.
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The 25-year-old was already contracted to the club until at least 2024 but his new deal will tie him to Red Hill until at least the end of the 2028 season.
Carrigan was due to become a free agent upon the conclusion of the current season where he would have been able to test his value on the open market.
However, he has decided to forgo this opportunity in favour of remaining loyal to the club he made his NRL debut for in 2019.
"This is a great day for the Broncos because Pat embodies what we are about as a club and he is at the heart of what we are building here together,” coach Kevin Walters said.
"He has grown as a player through our club's Academy system, going on to captain our NYC team before graduating to the NRL squad and building into the player that he is today - and the impressive thing is that all he wants to do is continue to improve.
"He is a key part of everything we do and to have him commit to the Broncos for another four years is really special - I'm really excited for what lies ahead for both Pat and for everyone at our club.”
Why did Patrick Carrigan choose to stay at the Broncos?
The forward, who personally enjoyed a stellar year in 2022, cited how being through some of the worst runs in the club’s storied history made him determined to taste success with the Broncos.
"I love this club and I could never imagine leaving - we are building something special here together and I wanted to make a long-term commitment to be a part of that,” Carrigan said.
Brisbane haven’t played finals footy since 2019 and suffered a catastrophic run of form last season which has ramped up the pressure on Walters.
In a run that coincided with Carrigan’s absence through suspension, the Broncos lost five of their final six games to slip from 4th on the ladder after Round 19 to miss out on finals altogether.
They have also recently been rocked by the news that Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler will be departing at season’s end to join the Dolphins.
Yet Carrigan was adamant that good times were right around the corner, with the Broncos building an exciting young roster that should at least make the top eight this year.
"A lot of us guys have been through the tough times together and now we are starting to show signs of what we can do if we work hard and work for each other,” Carrigan said.
"I'm here for the long haul and I'm excited about what we can achieve together over the years ahead.”
Which NRL clubs were interested in signing Patrick Carrigan?
According to David Riccio from The Daily Telegraph, up to six rival clubs had expressed their interest in signing Carrigan when he became available.
“Carrigan, I believe, is one of the best forwards in the game,” Riccio told SEN earlier this week.
“If the Broncos were to lose Carrigan to the Melbourne Storm or the Canberra Raiders, who are two of the clubs chasing his signature, it would be majorly significant.
“That would be a hammer blow if Carrigan were to leave the Broncos because he’s such a special player.
“This is a nervous time for the Broncos because they’ve already lost Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth.”
