The Broncos have received more good news after their stunning win over Canberra on Friday night after Pat Carrigan escaped with a fine for a high tackle that saw him sin-binned. The State of Origin forward was given 10 minutes in the bin after collecting Corey Horsburgh high during the Broncos’ 34-30 win.
Horsburgh fell into the tackle, but Carrigan still hit him flush in the head with force. Because he’d already received two Grade 2 careless high tackle charges in the last 12 months, he would have received a three-game suspension if he copped another from the match review committee on Saturday.
Pat Carrigan was sin-binned for his high tackle. Image: Fox League/Getty
But the forward was only hit with a Grade 1 charge and escaped with an $1800 fine. Carrigan received a one-game ban in the finals last year, and a two-game suspension in April this year. If he received another Grade 2 charge on Saturday he would have copped a three-game ban and missed the rest of the NRL season.
The fine also has ramifications for the World Cup as it means Carrigan won’t miss any games for the Kangaroos. With only two games remaining in the NRL regular season, a three-game ban would have meant Carrigan was forced to miss a World Cup game as well.
With Adam Reynolds retiring at season’s end, Carrigan will likely be elevated to the Broncos captaincy in 2027. Other options are Billy Walters, Reece Walsh and the incoming Mitch Barnett.
Pat Carrigan hit Corey Horsburgh flush in the head. Image: Fox League
Broncos ruin Josh Papalii’s farewell
The escape for Carrigan adds to a rare good night for the Broncos in a season from hell. Michael Maguire’s side came back from 30-14 down in the second half to stun Canberra and ruin Josh Papalii’s farewell.
The win put the Broncos three points ahead of the last-placed Dragons, making it virtually impossible for Brisbane to get the wooden spoon. “We’ve been through a bit of a period where they’ve had to really stick together,” Maguire said of his players. “To see the boys defend through a long period in that second half, that shows the team I know I’ve got.”
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said: “I know how much effort they put into wanting to do it for Josh (Papalii), but it’s disappointing. Not to dampen the mood, but that’s not good enough. When you get to that lead, we should be winning those games.”
