Star Broncos forward Pat Carrigan has voiced his support for coach Kevin Walters and captain Adam Reynolds in the face of calls from some corners for the pair to relinquish their roles.
The Broncos are in a battle to make the top eight this season and are a far cry from where their fans would have expected them to be after being 20 minutes away from claiming their first grand final win since 2006 last year.
Having lost eight of their last nine games, including a costly defeat at the hands of the Titans which also saw long-term injuries to Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, the odds are heavily stacked against the Broncos getting a shot at redemption in October.
“A couple of tough weeks … This is just footy, it’s the ins and outs of it,” Carrigan said.
“At the moment, it’s a bit tougher than what it’s been previously, but I’m still enjoying it.
“We are looking forward to the challenge that’s coming for us.”
A couple of tough weeks … This is just footy, it’s the ins and outs of it.
Carrigan also denied there was any disharmony in the side while Reynolds also downplayed any issues when asked post-match about the mindset of star fullback Reece Walsh and his open show of frustration to teammate Corey Oates after the loss to the Gold Coast.
For Carrigan, frustrations were normal in a football team.
“We are (united). I think for us, our feedback happens in a public forum and as a group, we’re really close-knit and I think the relationships that we have provide an opportunity for us to be able to give feedback on the run and help each other out,” Carrigan said.
“I think that just comes to how competitive we are as a group, but in terms of any fractures; there’s nothing like that.
“It’s just some frustrations that come with footy sometimes. But in terms of being mates, in our connectivity; it couldn’t be any better.”
He also threw his support behind his coach and skipper amid outside discussion about their futures, including calls for him to take over the captaincy duties from Reynolds permanently, having deputised for him when the halfback was sidelined with injury.
