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Who could fall out of Broncos GF team for Carrigan?
SEN • September 28th, 2025 11:31 pm
Corey Parker has suggested some alternative line-ups for the Brisbane Broncos for their Grand Final clash against the Melbourne Storm, with Patrick Carrigan expected to return.
Carrigan would be out of the side due to receiving a one-week suspension in the Broncos’ Qualifying Final win against the Canberra Raiders following a high tackle on Morgan Smithies.
With Brisbane winning their preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday, it means that his season is not over, but it will force coach Michael Maguire to make a tough decision on who to drop.
There is a possibility that a spot opens up for the Queensland representative without someone being dropped based on form.
Currently, Xavier Willison is on report following his dangerous tackle in the 28th minute, which could result in a suspension.
But if he is to be fined or incur no punishment from the judiciary, then that will leave Maguire with a big selection call, which will be speculated upon.
Parker thinks that with Carrigan’s inclusion, it will see a reshuffling of the spine, which will see Ezra Mam return to his usual starting five-eighth position and Ben Hunt go in as the hooker.
If that is to happen, it may see Cory Paix pushed out of the side despite having played 22 games this season.
“The way I see it right now is,” Parker explained.
“Ben Hunt goes from six to nine. Created a try for the Broncos coming out of dummy half.
“Reynolds will hold seven, Ezra Mam; I thought he was very good when he came onto the field. He’ll stay at six.
“Now if Hunt goes from six to nine, then that goes Paix from nine…does he go to No. 14 or do you hold a Tyson Smoothy who can play nine, can play 13, and he played exceptionally well this afternoon.
“So, Paix has the probability of starting No. 9 for Brisbane in a prelim final and playing the majority of the games for Brisbane to then potentially being rolling out the back door.”
The teams for the NRL Grand Final will be confirmed on Tuesday, with the match taking place on Sunday.
