Carrigan out of the Broncos? Parker drops bombshell

Pat Carrigan could leave the Broncos, according to Corey Parker who believes life in PNG may prove too irresistible to the Broncos star.

With Payne Haas set to leave Queensland for life at the Rabbitohs at season’s end, it is understood Carrigan’s management will ask for a significant pay rise for their client who is also expected to replace Adam Reynolds as the club’s captain.

Currently on $825,000 a season, Carrigan could command upwards of a million dollars in the open market.

With PNG due to enter the league in 2028, there is also the lure of tax free dollars to become a marquee signing with the new franchise.

“This is my gut feeling,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast. “I think he may be out of the Broncos. This is nothing to do with the coach, this is purely, plain and simple, a lifetime opportunity to go to PNG.

“Tax free money, million-dollar threshold and there’s only a certain number of players that could do this.

“Take nothing away from Pat and his commitment to the Broncos, this is too hard to pass up. He is not married he has no kids, what would hold him back?”

Haas leaving for the Rabbitohs and Reynolds retiring frees up a significant chunk of the salary cap so it’s natural Carrigan would seek an upgrade.

Should the Broncos retain him, he would likely become the club’s third million dollar man alongside Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam.

“I believe Carrigan’s heart is with the Broncos and in an ideal world he will stay,” Pete Badel told SENQ Breakfast. “$825k a season that he is on is slightly unders; he should be closer the million mark.

“Now that Haas is moving, that frees up dollars and Pat’s management want to go to the broncos and ask what they can do to get a bump up.

“Pat will be top dog in more ways than one next year and he is more than likely to be the captain.

“For PNG, this is the sweetener, the tax-free component is life changing, almost irresistible. If they come with a 1.5-2m deal, how can he say no?”

The Broncos travel to the Storm on Friday night looking to avoid a 0-3 start to their season.