Dolphins set sights on Broncs’ Carrigan

PAT Carrigan is embroiled in an expansion tug-of-war with the boom Brisbane forward rejecting an extension offer from the Broncos after attracting interest from new derby rivals the Dolphins.

Contract extension talks between the Broncos and Carrigan have hit a hurdle after the Queensland Origin hopeful knocked back a two-year upgrade from Brisbane recruitment chiefs.

That has opened the door for newly-minted expansion rivals the Dolphins, who have expressed interest in Carrigan being one of their foundation signings for the 17th NRL’s team debut season in 2023.

Dolphins powerbrokers contacted Carrigan’s management in the wake of their expansion licence win last week to reveal the Broncos young gun is one of their primary targets.

Carrigan (pictured) is off-contract at the end of next season, meaning he can field formal offers from this Monday, when the new November 1 contracting period allows free agents to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2023 season.

Carrigan is happy at the Broncos — and his preference is to remain at Red Hill — but Brisbane’s most recent offer did not meet his asking price.

The 23-year-old is rated a future captain of the Broncos and club hierarchy cannot afford to lose Carrigan to a Dolphins franchise craving bornand-bred Queensland talent to bring local legitimacy to a second Brisbane team.

Carrigan’s management will hold a fresh round of talks with the Broncos this week as Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin looks to keep the emerging middle-forward at Red Hill until the end of 2024.

“We’re still in negotiations,” Ikin said. “We would love to keep Pat. I understand there will be offers, probably beyond the two Brisbane clubs, because he is not only a quality player, he is a quality human being and we see him as a big part of our future. We will fight hard to keep him.”