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

 

[Mustafur]

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.

loser logic imo, Mozer is our future regardless and it's more about bringing him into first grade, I don't see him being usurpt for the 9 long term, it is his but he is in earning stripes mode first.

 

[theshed]

I disagree.

Paix has nine weeks to prove himself and every indication suggests that Madge is looking to make a change there. While Mozer appears to have the inside running, it sounds like Paix will be his offsider. So that's potentially nine weeks for Paix to sell himself and either earn an extension, or attract an offer from another club.

There's no guarantee that Mam will even play this year. Even if he does, if Paix is playing well enough, he could find himself as the bench utility. If not, Hunt will likely shift to halfback in 2026 so the spot is still open.

Yeah Paix has always been a decent prospect. He has mostly looked a level above anytime he’s played cup.

Hard to avoid feeling he was somewhat unfairly treated under the last regime

 

[1910]

Yeah Paix has always been a decent prospect. He has mostly looked a level above anytime he’s played cup.

Hard to avoid feeling he was somewhat unfairly treated under the last regime

Paix has played 62 Cup games across three clubs and Meninga for two and on his fourth NRL coach and he's still only played 44 NRL games in five years.

It's not just Kevvie.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Paix has played 62 Cup games across three clubs and Meninga for two and on his fourth NRL coach and he's still only played 44 NRL games in five years.

It's not just Kevvie.

C'mon Mate. We want to be able to blame Kev for everything bad that has ever happened at the club.

 

[Manofoneway]

C'mon Mate. We want to be able to blame Kev for everything bad that has ever happened at the club.

Totally bizarre that the fans still want to stick the boot into the guy that was a key playmaker for 5 of our 6 premierships.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Totally bizarre that the fans still want to stick the boot into the guy that was a key playmaker for 5 of our 6 premiership

It is extremely sad

 

[davidp]

I think Paix defence will eventually be found out - Madge may give him a chance, but if he does not aim up in defence then he will not be here next year - personally, I think he will either move on, or be relegated.

 

[Sproj]

I think Paix defence will eventually be found out - Madge may give him a chance, but if he does not aim up in defence then he will not be here next year - personally, I think he will either move on, or be relegated.

I know it is next level down but his defense looked pretty good in Cup, high work rate.

 

[BroncsFan]

It's looking like Smoothy has dropped down the pecking order... the first trial against qcup is usually the guys well outside the top 17.

I think that's a shame, because I would have him a bit higher in our hooker rankings, given he can play longer minutes if needed and offers some versatility as a roving middle forward to rest Patty.

Team list Tuesday may give further indication of the rankings.

Usually teams aren't going near their full strength until the last trial... but we have 5 hookers available, 6 if you include Eggerling on T&T (who I thought looked pretty good when he came on as a middle).

Bukowski may or may not get a go in week 2.

Mozer could see some action as the young guy and needing some trial time... or Madge may pick all 4/5.

It's a lot of guys that Madge would need to get time into, and may be the reason why Smoothy was out there so long on Saturday

 

[davidp]

I think Smoothy and Heatherington are competing at the moment, as some have said Smoothy could play as a roving lock. Both are on the smaller side so even though they have different strengths, I do not think they are great in the same side - this is obviously allowing for Mozer to be the main number 9