He said he had sought out coach Kevin Walters and the rest of his staff to express his desire to be the club’s new aggressor up front, not content to remain in his bench spot any longer and instead eager to contend with Corey Jensen, Marty Taupau, Fletcher Baker and Xavier Willison to start.
“100 per cent,” the 24-year-old said when asked if he envisioned assuming the prop vacancy.
“It’s my third year of NRL now, so I want to start pushing for that starting role. It’s something I’m going for.
“I do [speak to the club about starting], but it’s sort of out of my control. I’ve just got to keep working hard and keep pushing for it, and hopefully get there one day.
“It [Carrigan’s move to prop] hasn’t really been discussed, he’s been training at lock there at the moment, so I’ve just got to keep working hard and hopefully get there [at prop].
“I pride myself on physicality and my defence, but Fleggy’s a bit wild too, so we’ll see what happens.”
While the loss of Flegler and Keenan Palasia has left two huge holes to fill in the Broncos’ middle rotation, the defection of veteran Kurt Capewell to the Warriors will perhaps prove the most daunting replacement to find.
Among Brisbane’s top 30 squad, only Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura are out-and-out second row options, with recruits Jaiyden Hunt and Baker capable of doing a job on the edge if needed.
Hetherington also confirmed he had not spent too much time training in the position, but was confident if called upon he could succeed should Riki or Piakura suffer an injury.
Despite the aforementioned trio, as well as Herbie Farnworth, stripping a combined 367 NRL games, eight international caps and 12 State of Origin appearances from last year’s grand final side, Broncos veteran Jensen was confident the likes of Piakura, Willison, Deine Mariner and Ben Te Kura would ensure their rise from cellar dwellers to premiership contenders would not be a one-off year.
“It’s a huge chunk, and it’s a lot of experience, but I think the club is in a very good position. There’s a lot of younger boys coming through, and it might take a little bit of time for them and nurture through, but I see a lot of upside and potential in these young blokes,” Jensen said.
“All these guys who are very young and have tasted first grade … and will play a lot of first grade for a long time.”
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