Manchester: Brisbane’s pain has turned into Australia’s gain, with Patrick Carrigan determined to win the World Cup following his frustrating end to the NRL season.
Carrigan copped a four-game ban for a hip-drop tackle in Round 20 and watched from the sideline as the Broncos inexplicably fell out of the top eight.
The star lock returned for the final game of the regular season when a loss to the Dragons completed Brisbane’s shocking tumble to ninth, despite sitting fourth after Round 19.
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It marked a bitter end to Carrigan’s best season yet, winning the Wally Lewis Medal as Origin’s player of the series before earning a Kangaroos call-up.
The 24-year-old, who played in Australia’s semi-final win over New Zealand on Saturday, is channelling his club frustrations into World Cup glory.
“It was tough the situation with the Broncs and missing eight added a bit of fuel to the fire,” Carrigan told foxsports.com.au.
“I wanted to be a part of this Kangaroos group, and I knew that they could do something pretty special and yeah, I just pinch myself that I’m here.
“Relationships through footy are the things I love and I already feel like I’ve got lots of mates for life here now and if we win a World Cup together, it’d be pretty special.”
Carrigan believes the Broncos’ horror end to the season will prove a “blessing in disguise” and backed his club to next year play finals for the first time since 2019.
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“We’re obviously building something at the Broncs and we ran into a few hurdles at the back end of the year,” he said.
“But I think it’s going to be a blessing in disguise for us. It’s made us put the microscope over a few more things and learn what we’ve got to be better at if we’re going to challenge teams like Penrith and Melbourne.
“The boys are back at preseason and I’m not missing running around Red Hill at the moment but I think we’re going to be in for a good year – it’s gonna be exciting.”
Carrigan won’t return to preseason training until January and said he’s keen on rekindling with high-profile recruit Reece Walsh.
“It will be a bit of a different preseason for me… I want to keep working on combinations with guys like Reyno and young Reece Walsh who has come back which will be exciting,” Carrigan said.
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“As a club we’re conscious that we’re building but also mindful that we want to win football games and want to have success next year.
“I’m definitely going to be excited to take some of these lessons home from the World Cup and take on a bit more of a load next year and hopefully have a big 2023.”
Carrigan’s agent made waves last month when he approached Brisbane officials looking for a pay rise on his client’s $500,000 per season deal.
Carrigan signed an extension with Brisbane last November – rejecting an approach from Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins – to stay at the club until 2024.
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But since signing that deal the gun forward, who has already captained the club, has become an Origin and Test star.
“I guess if your agent is making a bit of noise they’re doing good things for you, I just leave that sort of stuff to him,” Carrigan said.
“I committed to the Broncs last year for a further two and I see myself playing in the Broncs jersey long term and winning footy games there.
“It’s an exciting time for the Broncs and if we can do a couple of things right in the next 12 months, I think we’ll set ourselves up for some bit of longevity and hopefully a bit of success like Penrith are having at the moment.”
