Broncos facing ‘headache’ over Billy Walters selection squeeze

The Brisbane Broncos are facing a tricky “headache” over the son of a club legend with speculation he could be forced out of the club.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire is facing a tricky dilemma around the make-up of his side that could see Billy Walters forced out in a selection squeeze.

Brisbane sit third on the ladder with three wins and one loss heading into their round 5 clash against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

The Broncos are premiership contenders this season and in his first season in charge, Maguire has opted to play Corey Paix at hooker and Billy Walters off the bench.

Paix has impressed at dummy half so far this season, while Walters has been demoted to the bench after his father Kevin Walters was sacked last year after a disappointing season in which Brisbane failed to make the finals after competing in the grand final the previous year.

Speaking to news.com.au, premiership winning hooker Michael Ennis said Maguire would soon have a selection headache around the No. 9 and No. 14 jerseys, especially once Ezra Mam is available for selection following his suspension.

Mam will be eligible to play from round 10, and it’s expected he will come off the bench as a utility or return to five-eighth, with Ben Hunt moving to hooker.

Corey Paix has been Brisbane’s starting hooker. Photo: David Martinelli.

Billy Walters at Broncos training. Picture Lachie Millard

Ennis also acknowledged the emergence of 20-year-old Blake Mozer, who had been tipped to be in Brisbane’s round 1 side before he suffered a shoulder injury.

“It’s hard to know, to be honest, because when Ezra Mam comes back there’s potentially four hookers in their roster and all of them are good,” Ennis said when asked about the Broncos’ ideal hooker rotation.

“Ben Hunt has shown his quality at Origin level (at hooker) and it seems as though that’s where he’s headed when Ezra returns, which then means does Billy Walters’ position on the bench go to Paix?

“Does Paix have the versatility of a Billy Walters? Billy Walters has probably got Paix in terms of versatility because he can play multiple positions.

“I know Corey came through as a halfback but he has spent the majority of his last couple of seasons, from what I understand, in the Queensland Cup playing at hooker.

Ezra Mam is set to return for the Broncos mid-season. Photo: Adam Head

Broncos young gun Blake Mozer is also in the mix. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Obviously Billy’s played the majority of his time at hooker too, but he has come through as a half five-eighth and at the moment playing in that utility role. So he’s getting reps in multiple positions I’d imagine during the week.

“But then hearing stories out of Brisbane about Blake Mozer, returning from a shoulder injury, apparently he was excellent in the Queensland Cup competition and was in line to be in Madge’s round 1 team prior to his injury.

“So there’s some headaches there for Madge, good headaches.”

Walters was added to Brisbane’s squad during dad Kevin’s tenure as coach and was part of the Broncos side in the 2023 grand final loss to Penrith.

Depending on how the season pans out, Walters could find himself down the pecking order at the Broncos with other clubs inquiring about poaching the 31-year-old.

“It’s such a critical position that some other clubs will be watching that space, I’d imagine,” Ennis said.

Billy Walters could fall down the Broncos pecking order.

“If for whatever reason, someone of the quality of Walters isn’t in the side for long parts of the season once Ezra Mam comes back, then I’d imagine that some clubs would definitely be looking at him, for sure.”

Walters is contracted to the end of 2026, but there could be a scenario where he falls out of favour and leaves the club 12 months after his dad was let go as Broncos coach.

“Obviously, Madge being there for his first season and a lot of that roster was already there,” Ennis said.

“That first 12 months would be seeing what fits best in terms of the style he wants to play, then 12 months down the track making a decision of what guys in the roster suit his style of play.

“I suppose they’re the question marks that Madge will get answered as the season unfolds.”

Originally published as Broncos facing ‘headache’ over Billy Walters selection squeeze