Carrigan gets second wind at Broncos after Origin
Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan has found another gear in the charge to the finals after taking a different approach to handling the aftermath of State of Origin.
Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan is ready to rip into the run to the finals with extra vigour after changing his approach following a gruelling State of Origin series.
The Queensland forward was a key contributor in the Maroonsâ 24-12 win over NSW in the Origin decider.
He backed up five days later  in a powerful 70-minute display in a 26-14 win over the Gold Coast before the Broncos had the bye.
The fifth-placed Broncos host Parramatta on Friday night aiming for a far better post-Origin period last year where they won just three of seven matches to miss the finals.
This year, under new coach Michael Maguire, the Broncos and the sideâs 2024 player of the year Carrigan are in far better shape.
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âI probably underestimated, having lost last yearâs Origin series and putting a lot into it, just how much that can take out of you,â Carrigan said.
âHaving won this series, youâre always a little bit fresher.
âIâve just learned over the past couple of years that itâs an opportunity to let yourself refresh. I was a bit guilty (in 2024) of just trying to double down and dive back into things.
âMadge (Maguire) gave us five or six days off, and that was really good to bring me back level-headed and back to my focus here. I feel really good.â
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The Broncos welcome back from injury props Payne Haas (back) and Corey Jensen (calf) along with winger Jesse Arthars (rib) after they missed the Titans match.
Brisbane negotiated the Origin period well and have won their past five games after losing six of their previous seven. They now have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four after middle forwards such as Xavier Willison, debutant Ben Talty, Kobe Hetherington and Jensen all lifted.
âHard workâs been what weâve been about all year and I think thatâs just shown during that period,â Carrigan said.
â(Willison) set that standard for himself when he had a really good game in the back row against the Doggies (in round eight) and a few matches earlier this year that showed his potential,
âItâs not only him but guys like Corey Jensen and Kobe Hetherington have been unreal too.
âThat next-man-up mentality has been awesome to see and I know the boys are really thriving off that energy.
âWeâve seen Ben Talty get a couple games and when you see guys rewarded for hard work, not only for what theyâve done for this club but continual seasons, it makes this place feel pretty special.â
The Broncos are now at full strength for the Eels clash.
âCompetition for spots here is probably whatâs driven our form during this period and will leading into the back end of the year,â Carrigan said.
âNo oneâs really safe apart from the skipper and if that quality comes to our training every day then the quality of our performance is going to increase too.
âIâm just excited to build into the back of the end of year with the whole squad that weâve got because thereâs plenty of talent.â
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