Carrigan throws support behind leaders before do-or-die battle

Star Broncos forward Pat Carrigan has voiced his support for coach Kevin Walters and captain Adam Reynolds in the face of calls from some corners for the pair to relinquish their roles with the team.

The Broncos are in a battle to make the top eight this season and are a far cry from where their fans would have expected them to be after being 20 minutes away from claiming their first grand final win since 2006 last year.

Having lost eight of their last nine games, including a costly defeat at the hands of the Titans last week which also saw long-term injuries to Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, the odds are heavily stacked against them to be able to make amends for their loss in the decider last year.

“A couple of tough weeks … This is just footy, it's the ins and outs of it,” Carrigan said.

“At the moment, it's a bit tougher than what it's been previously, but I'm still enjoying it.

“We are looking forward to the challenge that's coming for us.”

Carrigan also denied there was any disharmony in the side given the disappointment in their recent results, with his skipper Reynolds also downplaying any issues when asked post-match about the mindset of star fullback Reece Walsh and his open show of frustration to teammate Corey Oates after the loss to the Gold Coast.

For Carrigan, frustrations were normal in a football team.

“We are (united). I think for us, our feedback happens in a public forum and as a group, we're really close-knit and I think the relationships that we have provide an opportunity for us to be able to give feedback on the run and help each other out,” Carrigan said.

“I think that just comes to how competitive we are as a group, but in terms of any fractures; there's nothing like that.

“It's just some frustrations that come with footy sometimes. But in terms of being mates, in our connectivity; it couldn't be any better.”

He also threw his support behind his coach and skipper amid outside discussion about their futures, including calls for him to take over the captaincy duties from Reynolds permanently, having deputised for him when the halfback was sidelined with injury.

“Welcome to the rugby league world … eight months ago, we're in a grand final with Kev, so I think it's a bit ludicrous to be honest,” Carrigan said.

“He's part of the reason why I committed to the club and I wanted to be there and I played my best football under Kev too.

“Well and truly, we're in a bit of a down patch at the moment, but it's not for a lack of effort or connectivity.

“It's just some fundamental lapses in our game.

“I have full belief in Kev and full belief in the club and for us to turn it around.

“I think it speaks for itself what Reyno’s done for this club and there's not one person I want to run out behind (more); my focus is on controlling my own game at the moment and in terms of the captain, he’s the best leader that we could possibly have with the club, so I will stand behind him and keep working with him.

“It's silly questions. He's the best man for the job and we love him, support him.”

This week, the Broncos simply must win against the Cowboys if they are to remain any chance of playing finals football, with Carrigan not using the side’s multiple long-term injury concerns this year as an excuse for individual poor performance.

The representative forward, who was speaking to media on the Gold Coast as part of a QRL announcement celebrating $80,000 raised for the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers and held out hope they could turn their ship around this Saturday.

“To be honest, I haven't really thought about that (missing out on the top eight),” Carrigan said.

“It's all week-to-week for me and the preparation that comes with putting in a performance. I don't try and look past that.

“This week we have got the Cowboys, the mathematics, whatever will be will be, we just need to get some performances together.

“I'm looking forward to this week and hopefully build some momentum and the rest will take care of itself.

“It's just individual, to be honest, we're all having key lapses at specific moments and they're just accruing.

“That’s the first thing we need to rewrite is come together as a group and probably ride some of those waves ... We're a talented group.

“We've got an opportunity and when you pull on a Broncos jersey, that's just what comes with it.

“Nothing changes this week … but you put on a jersey, they're expecting you to do a job and I expect the same this week.”