NEWS 'Heels in' as Paix queues up for chance with Broncos

Undaunted by the queue for spots, hooker Cory Paix is convinced he's the type of NRL player Michael Maguire is looking for at Brisbane.

The 24-year-old didn't feature for the Broncos last season, Kevin Walters preferring son Billy, Tyson Smoothy and Blake Mozer at dummy-half as the side missed finals for a third time in four seasons.

Those four remain at the club but the coach does not, Walters replaced by Maguire in a shake-up Paix says prompted some introspection at last week's pre-season training camp.

"It was a great opportunity to get together and really have a dig," Paix said on Monday of their police-style boot camp.

"There's some stuff in there we'd probably like to keep in-house, but it's about finding our identity.

"Some testing times in there; you find out a bit about yourself, which is good for people to find where they were at."

Paix played 44 games across four seasons at Brisbane, including a career-high 15 in 2023.

But, on the outer in 2024, Paix dominated as an 80-minute hooker for Wynnum Manly and was named the Queensland Cup's player of the year in his position.

Off-contract after this season, he could have taken an NRL opportunity elsewhere.

But, known for his terrific training standards, the Toowoomba native has relished Maguire's arrival at Red Hill.

"It is a good feeling, and the easy option would have been to leave," Paix said of Maguire wanting him to stick around.

"As stubborn as I am, I like to dig my heels in and give it a red hot crack.

"Working hard's in my nature; I've been brought up that way.

"He's put it down to whoever wants to work the hardest (will earn a shot) ... so I'll keep chipping away."

The Broncos will play Gold Coast in a pre-season trial in Paix's home town of Toowoomba on February 16, a clash he admits bears weight for those vying for the No.9.

"Most people would think we don't get along at all ... we have a really good connection, among all 20 of us or however many are here," he quipped.

"I'll just be myself; I can't be who they are.

"It is a clean start for everyone, isn't it?

"Get in, work hard and it suits my style. If we can all adapt to that, it sets us up for a good season."

Canberra Times

 

[Sproj]

9. Paix
14. Mozer

?

 

[tommy]

9. Paix
14. Mozer

?

Gotta go other way around, otherwise mozer will sign somewhere else. I keep forgetting paix got qcup hooker of the year, he is probably a genuine look-in.

 

[BroncsFan]

9. Paix
14. Mozer

?

I don't think there's enough utility value from having those two in the 17.

Smoothy can cover lock and could play 80 if required from injury... I'd say he'd be the most consistent at 80mins if needed in a pinch.

Billy can play halves, but I think he could be a pure ball playing lock for short periods as well with his defence. He could probably play 80, but it would start dropping off near the end.

Paix can play 80 at qcup, but not sure we've seen it at NRL... he probably needs to increase his utility by getting reps in at lock to increase his squad value, but the concern would be about his defence.

Mozer probably offers the least utility value, but the best pure hooker. He could probably push 80 if needed, but I could see him dying in the ass by the end of the game.

I think my ideal combo at this stage is Smoothy starting with Mozer off the bench at say 30min and playing out the game. Smoothy to relieve Patty for 10-15mins in the second half.

If injury occurs in the halves... could probably go Mozer to halves and Smoothy hooker, but that could become a concern. Could maybe push Cobbo to 6 as a big body ball runner and then push everyone out one, but 2nd row is already an issue... this is where we need Kobe to be able to cover second row moving forward

 

[kman]

Paix is a great runner of the ball out of dummyhalf and if he has trained hard and proves himself in trials. I would happily hand him 14 jesersy but only until Mam comes back. Mozer is the one we need to care about getting the most time.

 

[Foordy]

9. Paix
14. Mozer

?

by the end of the 2025 season Hunt and Mozer will be sharing the hooking duties

 

[Foordy]

Gotta go other way around, otherwise mozer will sign somewhere else. I keep forgetting paix got qcup hooker of the year, he is probably a genuine look-in.

That is NOT, i repeat NOT a reason to start someone. hell, it's not even a reason to get someone on the bench.

 

[tommy]

That is NOT, i repeat NOT a reason to start someone. hell, it's not even a reason to get someone on the bench.

Maybe, but I'd say it comes into the equation more often than not with off contract players. Especially young uns touted as the next best thing.

 

[Sproj]

Bukowski looks just as promising apparently, so don't need to be too stressed with Mozer.

 

[Foordy]

Maybe, but I'd say it comes into the equation more often than not with off contract players. Especially young uns touted as the next best thing.

for bottom teams maybe ... certainly not the top teams.

I personally, don't think he is ready for full-time starting 9 yet ... but even if he was, I'd be taking a look at how the Storm employed Grant during the early days... despite being their best hooker, they played Grant off the bench, allowing Smith to take the early onslaught. IMO, a similar tactic would work well for Mozer