PRE-GAME [Round 2, 2026] - Broncos vs Eels

[Harry]

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Until Piakura is back, this is the right team and what we should have run last week too (Only arguable alternative would be JHunt for Gos).

Personally, if we really do think he's a potentially elite player, I'd be looking to move Mozer into the team as soon as possible. We have far more upside with him in the side than Paix (even if there's some growing pains) and it's about time we pushed our chips onto the table with Blake, otherwise we better be happy for him to walk.

 

[_wwong]

JetSki must have given Madge a years worth of fried chicken

 

[the_next]

What’s mozer got to do to get a run ffs.
Paix offers absolutely zero. Should have sent him packing and held onto Smoothy.
Mozer will start to get itchy feet, could end badly.

 

[Fitzy]

Jesse out of the 22. Could that be the indication that the Warriors rumour has more substance than originally suggested... His attitude was poor on Saturday but I don't see it costing him an emergency spot with his versatility.

 

[Super Freak]

What’s mozer got to do to get a run ffs.

Earn it. Which he hasn't done yet.

 

[Broncx252]

Earn it. Which he hasn't done yet.

Wym earn it paix is probably the worst hooker in our squad if you look at the grand final watch the reply on how trash he was

 

[Super Freak]

Wym earn it paix is probably the worst hooker in our squad if you look at the grand final watch the reply on how trash he was

If you're not playing better than the person you're trying to replace, you don't really deserve a spot.

 

[Harry]

Earn it. Which he hasn't done yet.

Hard to do when he gets no first grade game time and limited, disrupted Cup time from all accounts.

If we think he's the future then not facilitating his development and giving him the opportunity to prove his worth is just silly on our part.

Paix is average at best, persisting with him just because it's the status quo is fine if we're happy to lose Mozer (which we may well be). But if we're not, then we need to eventually give him a chance. I'm not saying we bend over to give him everything he wants out of fear he'll go, but there needs to be some future planning and progression, and risking losing Mozer to keep Paix in his spot seems short-sighted.

Besides, I'd rather that chance be handing him the keys early in the season so he's firing by finals than waiting until Paix gets injured or we're in the middle of a mid-year losing slump and then throwing Mozer in.

 

[Sproj]

Wym earn it paix is probably the worst hooker in our squad if you look at the grand final watch the reply on how trash he was

Paix was good in the Grand Final, that's earned him a bit of rope.

 

[Big Pete]

Mozer's time will come.

He's still contracted with the club till 2027 so there's no rush coming off a serious injury. He only managed to get through 30 minutes on the weekend, he should get more time against the Magpies and they'll take it from there.

 

[Broncx252]

Paix was good in the Grand Final, that's earned him a bit of rope.

Then you didn’t watch the grand final there were many passes that hit the ground or were not on the chest the exra one he’s very lucky that exra caught it and in the first half

 

[Harry]

Mozer's time will come.

He's still contracted with the club till 2027 so there's no rush coming off a serious injury. He only managed to get through 30 minutes on the weekend, he should get more time against the Magpies and they'll take it from there.

This same type of cautious thinking cost us Walsh too - who, if not for a twist of fate and lucky break, may have never returned.

He had similarly never 'proven anything' or 'forced his way into the team' and was being told 'his time will come' while we persisted with an average option who had no future in the team. Players are going to do what's right for them and pretending it's still yesteryear where players honour their contracts and being blind to the reality isn't going to help.... We don't have 2 grand final appearances and a premiership if he doesn't come back.

It's as much as the club's responsibility to guide and develop and put these players in a position to succeed as it is the player's responsibility to earn that spot.

If we think Mozer is the future of our team at the most important position in the modern game, I'd personally rather go slightly early and at least play a hand than die wondering and see him leave without ever having the chance. If we don't think he's an elite prospect then the point is moot anyway and I have no issue with letting him 'prove it'.

Give him his shot, if he sinks then he sinks. If he swims, we're far better off both in the immediate and long term.

 

[Xzei]

An arguement could be made that mozer isnt even the best hooker not playing first grade

 

[the_next]

I would love to hear C.Smiths take on our current 9 situation, although I’m not sure how much time he is actually spending inside the 4 walls.
Surely he saw what we all saw in the WCC & rd 1 to say hang on a minute, we aren’t getting much out of our current starting 9.
I know he came out a few weeks ago and gave Mozer big wraps, we would be crazy if we weren’t leaning on him for some guidance about our current/future 9.

I haven’t seen enough of Mozer recently coming off his injury however, not sure it could be worse than what we are currently getting out of Paix.
Wasn’t even Kevvie shopping Paix around?

 

[Sproj]

Then you didn’t watch the grand final there were many passes that hit the ground or were not on the chest the exra one he’s very lucky that exra caught it and in the first half

I can assure you I have watched it many times. What about the amazing pass he did for one of our tries? What about the fact he had to come back out when absolutely stuffed and defended for his life?

He's a limited hooker but he's also now a premiership winning one. That gives him runs on the board. Mozer is clearly super talented but right now, I don't even think he deserves a shot over Bukowski.

And while it isn't his fault, Mozer has had a very limited preseason. He needs to get up to speed. Plus, if Brissy is 0-3 as I expect they will be, Maguire will then have plenty of ammo to make changes.

 

[Big Pete]

This same type of cautious thinking cost us Walsh too - who, if not for a twist of fate and lucky break, may have never returned.

He had similarly never 'proven anything' or 'forced his way into the team' and was being told 'his time will come' while we persisted with an average option who had no future in the team. Players are going to do what's right for them and pretending it's still yesteryear where players honour their contracts and being blind to the reality isn't going to help.... We don't have 2 grand final appearances and a premiership if he doesn't come back.

It's as much as the club's responsibility to guide and develop and put these players in a position to succeed as it is the player's responsibility to earn that spot.

If we think Mozer is the future of our team at the most important position in the modern game, I'd personally rather go slightly early and at least play a hand than die wondering and see him leave without ever having the chance.

Give him his shot, if he sinks then he sinks. If he swims, we're far better off both in the immediate and long term.

Apples to oranges, Walsh was off-contract and signed with a Aucklund based club who happened to be based near Walsh's home due to unforseen circumstances. Once the reality of the situation sunk in Reece couldn't wait to get back to Brissie.

I don't think Mozer is a flight risk and I don't think he'll have to wait long for his opportunity. I don't think he'll even need a Man of the Match performance in QCup - just some basic match fitness and confidence in his body will be enough.

 

[Big Del]

I would love to hear C.Smiths take on our current 9 situation, although I’m not sure how much time he is actually spending inside the 4 walls.
Surely he saw what we all saw in the WCC & rd 1 to say hang on a minute, we aren’t getting much out of our current starting 9.
I know he came out a few weeks ago and gave Mozer big wraps, we would be crazy if we weren’t leaning on him for some guidance about our current/future 9.

I haven’t seen enough of Mozer recently coming off his injury however, not sure it could be worse than what we are currently getting out of Paix.
Wasn’t even Kevvie shopping Paix around?

And Mat Ballin a career hooker and member of the Qld and Broncos coaching staff for the past few years ?

 

[Morkel]

I would love to hear C.Smiths take on our current 9 situation, although I’m not sure how much time he is actually spending inside the 4 walls.
Surely he saw what we all saw in the WCC & rd 1 to say hang on a minute, we aren’t getting much out of our current starting 9.
I know he came out a few weeks ago and gave Mozer big wraps, we would be crazy if we weren’t leaning on him for some guidance about our current/future 9.

I haven’t seen enough of Mozer recently coming off his injury however, not sure it could be worse than what we are currently getting out of Paix.
Wasn’t even Kevvie shopping Paix around?

C. Smith: "I have some ideas. Have you tried getting someone in a chicken wing and then trying to twist their head off like a screw-type lightbulb"?