Broncos player Patrick Carrigan has landed in trouble following a high tackle incident during Friday night’s match against the Cowboys, prompting scrutiny from the NRL match review committee. In the first half, Carrigan, playing as a lock forward, executed a dangerous tackle on winger Zac Laybutt, which was immediately flagged by referee Ashley Klein. The commentary team, including Johnathan Thurston, expressed shock at the tackle.
Replays revealed that Carrigan’s shoulder made contact with Laybutt’s head, leading Klein to sin bin the Broncos captain for ten minutes. There was no contest from Carrigan or the commentators regarding the decision, with former player Cameron Smith noting that Carrigan had misjudged his target area significantly. His possible suspension would add insult to injury for the Broncos, who are already missing key players such as Ben Hunt and Reece Walsh due to injuries.
The match began with Kotoni Staggs scoring for the Broncos after a clever grubber kick from replacement halfback, who was brought in due to Adam Reynolds’ injury. However, the Cowboys responded through Scott Drinkwater, who made a break from deep within his half, passing to Jaxon Purdue for a rapid score. Thurston praised Purdue’s speed, mentioning his recent $3 million contract extension with the Cowboys, while also implying that Drinkwater may be considering a move away from the team.
With Carrigan serving his time in the sin bin, Laybutt capitalised on Brisbane’s reduced numbers, helping the Cowboys take the lead. The situation is a concerning one for the Broncos, whose already depleted squad may face further challenges in the coming weeks as they navigate potential disciplinary actions against Carrigan.