Darren Lockyer has supported the decision from the Broncos not to seek a downgrade for Patrick Carrigan‘s one-game ban, conceding it was “too much of a risk” with a potential grand final appearance in their sights.
Carrigan accepted the ban for a grade two careless high high tackle on Raiders forward Morgan Smithies and as a result, will be rubbed out of Brisbane’s prelim final.
If the club and Carrigan did take the matter to the NRL judiciary and were successful in a downgrade, the gun lock would have been cleared to play.
READ MORE: Nightmare scenario that could rob grand final of a superstar
READ MORE: UK papers already ‘taking the piss’ out of Postecoglou
READ MORE: Three brash words set scene for Gout to explode
However, the risk was far greater than the reward according to Lockyer, with the 25-year-old now available for the Broncos should they make it through to the decider.
“I think put some faith in your team that they can get the job done. I think the roll of the dice was not worth it,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“They would have a discussion and get advice from the legal representatives. At the end of the day, they are the ones who’ve got to argue and understand how to defend it.
“If they feel like it’s too much of a risk – I know emotionally as a player, you want to play – but you’ve got to take the emotion out of this and just use your head.”
Queensland icon Wally Lewis also backed the tough decision from the Broncos.Â
“It’s a good call,” he said.
“It would be very expensive had he missed the two games. He’s showing plenty of faith in the team. They have played safe in this one, but it could go either way.”
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
While taking matters out of the judiciary panel’s hands has been lauded as the wise choice from Broncos officials, it doesn’t take away from Carrigan’s impending absence.
One of the best forwards in the competition, Carrigan will leave a gaping hole in the middle of the field when his teammates take on the Bulldogs or Panthers.
Lockyer said the “alpha male” battle that Carrigan thrives on will force on of his teammates to step up, and is backing two quality players to fill the void.
Patrick Carrigan Getty
“He’s their forward leader and the current captain,” Lockyer said.
“You saw what he got suspended for, that aggression off the line and you saw when they played the Storm, he went after Nelson [Asofa-Solomona].
“He wants to dominate the alpha male in the opposition, so they’re gonna miss that.
“I think Kobe Hetherington is the logical 13 and he can still ball-play and he still whacks them in defence, so they can compensate for his loss there.
“And if Xavier [Willison] comes back – he’s young and hasn’t played for a while – but he’s a big inclusion.”
Willison is expected to be fit to play for the Broncos on September 28 after recovering from a broken arm suffered late in the regular season.
Brendan Piakura is also likely to be cleared despite suffering a facial fracture in the dramatic 29-28 qualifying final victory over Canberra on Sunday.