Pat Carrigan might have walked off the field on the wrong side of the scoreboard, but the Broncos forward found something deeper in the moments after the match — something that transcends wins and losses.
Following Brisbane’s heartbreaking loss, Carrigan stood quietly in the middle of the field, reflecting not just on the game, but on the weight of the season and the personal journey it carried with it. The sting of defeat was sharp — especially after surrendering a solid lead to the Penrith Panthers — but what followed reminded him that footy is only part of the story.
Just hours after the match, Carrigan was greeted with messages, drawings, and videos from young fans, many of whom had tears in their eyes but smiles on their faces — not because of the result, but because of the player they’ve come to admire. Children, some in tiny Broncos jerseys, sent their love through social media and family members, telling Carrigan they were proud of him no matter the outcome.
“It was one of those mornings where you wake up at 4:30am and everything feels heavier than it should,” Carrigan admitted in a post-match interview. “I’d never felt that much pressure. I felt like I owed something — to the team, the fans, the city.”
But Carrigan’s perspective quickly shifted. He began thinking about his teammates’ challenges off the field. Jack Gosiewski’s unimaginable strength after losing both of his parents. Jesse Arthars’ fight back from injury. And Carrigan’s own struggles with internal doubt after last year’s Grand Final loss — a moment he calls the hardest of his career.
“That’s when I realised this isn’t just about the scoreboard. It’s about who we become along the way. And it’s about what we give — not what we win,” he said.
His mature approach to leadership is something that’s grown over time. No longer the young gun trying to prove his worth, Carrigan has become a steady presence in the locker room — a leader who knows that setbacks can be seeds for future triumphs. He acknowledged how much the loss hurt, but added that he and his teammates have grown more resilient because of it.
“I think I used to be someone who wanted to carry everything on my shoulders,” Carrigan reflected. “Now, I understand that real strength is about trusting the people around you, and understanding you’re part of something bigger.”
This shift in mindset was visible even in defeat. While others sat dejected in the sheds, Carrigan made the effort to check on younger players, spoke to staff, and even embraced some of the Panthers players — acknowledging their grit rather than resenting the loss.
He said the messages from young fans meant more than they might know.
“One kid sent a voice message saying, ‘You’re still my hero, Pat.’ Stuff like that — it stays with you. That’s when you realise you might have lost a game, but you’ve made an impact. That’s what matters.”
As the Broncos prepare to reset for the next season, Carrigan isn’t talking revenge or redemption. Instead, he’s focused on growth, humility, and playing for something more meaningful. He says this season may not have ended the way they hoped, but it has opened a new chapter — one where purpose comes before pressure.
“Sometimes,” he said with a quiet smile, “you have to lose one to win one — not just in footy, but in life.”
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