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

 

[heartly87]

The team of the year is picked by the coaches after games, and the Petero medal is picked by the refs.

Paix won the hooker of the year, but Rimbu won the Petero Medal for the best player in the coemption playing hooker for the Hunters.

Paix didn't even poll in the top 20 for the Petero Medal.

There is no way that Rimbu wasn't the hooker of the year there is no metric that you could compare him with Paix and Rimbu not win.

Rimbu- 23 games, 16 tries, 91 tackle breaks, 10 line break assists, 11 offloads, 5 try assists, 121 runs, 726 tackles.

Paix-20 games, 5 tries, 17 tackle breaks, offloads 4, try assists 7, line break assists 5, runs 82, tackles 633.

I have no idea what the coaches were watching.

I am not an insider of any kind but I know there is always political nonsense in clubs, local districts etc. Sometimes awards and rep honors come down to other things then on field performance. Family names, Business owners, family friends, coaches son.. the usual shit humans do.

NRL player going around in Cup would likely have a few strings being plucked that a Rimbu doesn't. A high end manager looking for an NRL return for one.

 

[theshed]

Paix showed signs of being a pretty serviceable hooker. Had some real dominate games in cup over the years too. He had a few rough games under Kev and was forever exiled.

I feel for him to be honest

 

[Mr Fourex]

Its his to lose.... re the chance.

I just don't see his versatility working out in the 14 position because of his defensive issues.

unless he supersedes one of his challengers during the pre-season training & trials.........
We'd be better off cutting him loose and saving the $$

 

[bert_lifts]

Glad he's been given a crack again and not shunned to the shadow realm never to be seen again due to certain 'reasons.'

I just want the best players in each position. Not just because they're the incumbent or have a certain "relationship". For the 9 role especially, it should be cutthroat given we have an extreme surplus. That means being dropped after multiple poor performances too.

 

[GCBRONCO]

I don't think Paix will get a higher market value.

Even with Kevvies departure and Madge's arrival, I don't see him climbing the hooking pecking order. In fact he may even slip further down with Hunt on the books

Only one club really showed any interest of substance in him and they backed off pretty quick. IMO unless he has somewhat of a bumper season clubs aren't going to be racing to sign him and given the talent coming off contract the club won't either.

 

[KateBroncos1812]

Also we get to see the baby broncos shine during state of origin as well. It's going to be interesting to see how good they are up against the titans