FLEGLER FORCED TO FIGHT FOR SPOT IN BRONCOS SIDE

Flegler determined to make Seibold’s 17

THE disappointment of missing out on the Brisbane Broncos’ lock jersey will light a fire in the belly of Tully tyro Thomas Flegler.

The no-frills forward last week expressed his desire to pull on the Broncos’ No.13 jersey made famous by his idol Corey Parker in 2020, but coach Anthony Seibold confirmed on Thursday that such an honour would be bestowed upon Flegler’s teammate Patrick Carrigan.

The coach announced Carrigan will captain the Broncos in tomorrow night’s trial against the Titans, with club captain Alex Glenn sidelined with a hamstring strain, before later confirming the 22-yearold workhorse had clinched the lock jumper for the Broncos’ season opener against the Cowboys next month.

While Flegler would have loved to snag the starting lock spot for Round 1, he told The Cairns Post last week he would only be more determined to work hard throughout the season and force his coach’s hand into giving him his chance.

“I’ll just go out there week in, week out and try my best to get that jersey,” Flegler said.

“Whoever gets the jersey has got to perform consistently, otherwise we’ve got boys right up their clacker to take their spot.” The 21-year-old was a mainstay for the Broncos in 2019, earning an NRL debut against the Storm in Round 1 – ahead of Carrigan – and going on to play 23 games in his rookie season.

But, while Flegler got the nod ahead of Carrigan 12 months ago, the tables have turned, with Carrigan locked in to don the No.13 and Flegler to come off the bench.

Carrigan made his NRL debut in Round 5 last year.

Flegler and Carrigan have been on similar rugby league trajectories in recent years.

They were both selected for the Queensland under-20s and Junior Kangaroos in 2018, before sharing the Broncos’ Rookie of the Year honour in 2019.