Michael Maguire has to try to shoehorn five players into two positions in 2025.
NRL legend Scott Sattler predicted that Broncos hooker Cory Paix would wind up with the Gold Coast Titans, but Paix has pledged to stay at the club and compete for a berth in first-grade. Piax hasn’t been able to break into first-grade in recent years and is currently engaged in a hooking war with Tyson Smoothy, Blake Mozer, and Billy Walters at the Brisbane club.
Under father Kevin’s leadership, Walters was the starting hooker, but it’s thought that this season, new coach Michael Maguire is leaning towards putting youngster Mozer in the No. 9. The fact that Ben Hunt will probably move from five-eighth to hooker when Ezra Mam returns from his suspension in Round 10 further complicates things.
Sattler said late last year that Paix might be at a different club shortly, and it implies that five hookers are vying for just two seats. “Cory Paix is a fine young footy player, and whether it’s because of injury or whatever reason, he hasn’t been able to play consistent footy,” Sattler told SEN radio. However, I believe the Gold Coast Titans could benefit from signing him. The Titans has one of the league’s top forward groups.
“If the Broncos decide to sign Cory Paix, I believe he is a great player who would be a great addition to any club. Additionally, he is making a lot of money for a player who ought to be playing more first grade but isn’t.”
Joel Caine, a former player in the NRL, said last week that one of the Broncos hookers would end up at Parramatta. Despite sharing time at No. 9 with the Eels last season, neither Brendan Hands nor Joey Lussick made headlines.
Cory Paix promises to stick with the Brisbane Broncos.
Paix, however, stated in a Monday speech that he wants to show Maguire that he is capable of playing first-grade and has no plans to leave the Broncos. After Kevin Walters told Paix and Kobe Hetherington they may look at other choices, Maguire’s first actions upon joining the Broncos were to reassure them they had a future with the team.
“It is a good feeling, and the easy option would have been to leave,” Paix said. I like to sink my heels in and give it a red hot crack, despite my stubbornness. I’ve been raised to work hard; it’s in my nature. He’s put it down to whoever wants to work the hardest (will earn a shot) … so I’ll keep chipping away.”
Despite their competition for positions, Paix disclosed that there is no hostility among the club’s hookers. “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 stated.
“I can’t be who they are, so I’ll just be myself. 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 it, it sets us up for a terrific season.”
Speaking to SEN radio last week, Maguire said: “I’m very spoilt for choice in that (hooker) department, but that will all sort itself out. They understand that I can only select one or two when you play each weekend, but it’s good fun to watch them at training.”
