Queensland forward Pat Carrigan has admitted to a feeling of relief after getting the call from Billy Slater to don maroon after some initial fears a facial injury would rule him out.
Having played in all nine games for Queensland since making his debut in Game One of 2022, Carrigan said he was honoured to be part of the team after receiving the all-clear from a badly split lip.
The cut was bleeding so much it was causing concern to his Round 11 opponents the Dragons after the game and had some commentators fearing a broken jaw.
The Easts Tigers junior received suture treatment the night before joining the Maroons camp on Monday morning.
“I didn’t really know what was happening but when I was shaking hands at the end, the Dragons boys were freaking out a little bit… my jaw was obviously a bit sore, so I went in, had my jaw sussed out and they thought it would be alright,” Carrigan said.
“And then went up to the private hospital to get checked out and stitched up by the surgeon. Got the jaw cleared. So, bit of relief.
“But I was also just hoping that I’d played good enough footy to get picked again as well, so, bunch of emotions.
“One hundred per cent glad they could sort it quickly.
“Mum would’ve given me a smack if I had not sorted it properly. They put about 30 stitches in there, did a really good job … goes up into my mouth, so shout out to the medical staff.
“I’m good to go. He put a few extra stitches in there just in case I get a head knock, but it’s Origin, anything can happen, so if it goes, it goes, but just keen to run out there.
“Billy just asked if I was ready to go and I said ‘100 percent … keen to mix it again this year'.”
While he has been playing at prop for the Broncos this year, Slater has opted to name Carrigan at lock, where he featured for the Maroons in all three games last year.
“It’s obviously always special to get the opportunity to wear this jersey,” Carrigan said.
“Honoured to mix it up with these boys again, any position I get named in.
“Obviously love playing lock, so it’s pretty special. I’ll mix it anywhere that Bill wants me to mix it.”
Carrigan was also looking forward to the opportunity to right the wrongs of Game Three last year, which saw the Blues win the decider to claim the series.
“Obviously, having experienced the heartbreak here at Suncorp from Game Three last year, I’m so excited to mix it with a new group of boys and do our fans proud," Carrigan said.
“I love this squad. Everyone who gets the opportunity to put this jersey on has earned it. Billy has always driven that, so I think all these boys should be really proud. I’m really excited to run out with them, I know they’ll do their state proud.
“There’s obviously a lot of hard work that’s gone into it for a lot of the boys.”
Carrigan said he was confident every Maroons player taking the field in the opener at Suncorp Stadium would do the state proud.
“We missed out last year, so it’s a burning desire to get it on and see what happens.
“It’s Origin, it’s on with everyone.”
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
