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“A lot of our guys who play footy these days don’t watch a whole lot of footy, so some of the guys wouldn’t even know who Carl Webb was. But it creates that conversation,” Cooper said.
“Back then [when we played] it was all about just being with your mates on and off the field, and there was a lot of that group at that time who moved to Townsville to play footy.
“When we moved to Townsville we were each other’s family, and we spent a lot of time together at training or on weekends.
Gavin Cooper played against Webb in their early Queensland Cup days and made his NRL debut at the Cowboys as a teammate.Credit: Getty
“It was really instilled in me, those older guys that looked after me, so something that I did throughout my career is always looking out for the younger kids, something I continue to do now.
“Even through the tough times, when he was deteriorating to a point where just to get out and be mobile was a challenge, you could see he took that challenge head on and that’s the way he played footy as well.”
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Upon his diagnosis, Webb was quick to ensure he could support others fighting the insidious disease that plagued the final years of his life, setting up the Carl Webb Foundation to raise funds for MND sufferers.
The charity will benefit from a 50-50 raffle to take place on Friday’s local debut, and with the Medal now at play, Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has backed Pat Carrigan to mastermind a Suncorp Stadium boilover.
Without the injured Payne Haas, following the defections of 2023 grand finalists Thomas Flegler and Keenan Palasia, Carrigan’s importance to the Brisbane side has only strengthened in the No13 jumper.
While reflecting on the legacy Webb will leave, Lockyer said now was the time for Carrigan to embody the same relentless resolve that made his former teammate one of rugby league’s most daunting figures.
“You can’t replace Payne but if everyone steps up collectively and individually, you can compensate for that, [but] I think it is an opportunity for Patty,” Lockyer said.
Darren Lockyer says that, in the absence of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan had to embody the passion that Webb (seen here playing for the Cowboys) often displayed.Credit: Getty
“I know he is an important part of the team, but he plays in the middle and has been there long enough. He will know what he needs to do to lift the rest of his players.
“On the field [Webb] was tough and the aggressor. He was also what I would call a protector – he always had your back.
“When he was diagnosed with MND he chose a path and that was to make a difference. I am sure he will be proud, looking down.”