NRL Market Watch: Brisbane Broncos deliver Cory Paix exit ultimatum

Despite wanting to see out his two-year contract in Brisbane, the Broncos have given an out-of-favour squad member permission to negotiate with rival NRL clubs.

Cory Paix is on the outer at the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Broncos hooker Cory Paix has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs as the out-of-favour rake fights to save his career in the NRL.

This masthead can reveal Broncos hierarchy will not stand in the way of Paix finding another home in the NRL after fielding a request from his management to explore his options on the open market.

The Broncos regarded Paix so highly they signed him to a two-year extension in February worth an estimated $300,000 a season.

But the 23-year-old has struggled to break into the top squad at the Broncos, with rival hooker Billy Walters producing the best form of his career this season to take a stranglehold on the No.9 jumper.

Once touted as Brisbane’s dummy-half version of South Sydney’s Origin hooker Damien Cook, Paix was axed by Broncos coach Kevin Walters in June and spent the rest of the season languishing in the Queensland Cup.

Paix has attracted interest from two Sydney-based rivals - it is understood he met with Roosters coach Trent Robinson in August - but the Bondi glamour club has yet to follow up with a formal contract offer.

Cory Paix wants to stay in Red Hill. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Paix’s manager confirmed the playmaker-turned-hooker is free to leave the Broncos at any time, but has not given up hope of forcing his way into the top 17 next season.

“We’ve been given permission to look around,” said his agent Paul Hogan.

“There’s been some interest from Sydney, but it depends on whether Cory is prepared to make the move.

“His preference is to stay at the Broncos, he loves the club and he only signed a two-year extension earlier this season.

“Cory has just got engaged, he is having his off-season break and we are catching up this week to have a chat about what his options are.

“He is signed until the end of 2025 at the Broncos and is settled in Brisbane off the field, it’s just a shame he’s not playing regularly in the NRL.”

As a junior, Paix was one of Queensland’s rising stars. In 2019, playing halfback, he captained a Queensland under-20s team that contained Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Gilbert, Murray Taulagi and Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Paix met with Roosters coach Trent Robinson coach. Picture: NRL

Paix, who has played 44 games since his NRL debut in 2020, started the 2023 trials on an even footing with Walters, who ultimately won the battle for the No.9 jumper for Brisbane’s season opener against Penrith.

The Toowoomba product played 14 consecutive games off the bench - winning 10 of those matches as a handy back-up to Walters - and was shocked to be dropped by coach Walters in favour of Tyson Smoothy.

Smoothy went on to retain the No.14 jumper for Brisbane’s grand-final loss to the Panthers, leaving Paix in limbo in the second-tier.

Adding to the fierce competition, the Broncos blooded Blake Mozer in the final round this season and have huge wraps on the Queensland under-19s captain and hooker.

The Roosters have parted ways with former Broncos hooker Jake Turpin, but have not pursued Paix any further after preliminary talks in August.

In the wake of his demotion, Paix sought a meeting with Walters for feedback on ways to improve his game to return to the Broncos’ top squad.

“Cory is OK mentally, but obviously he’s a bit frustrated that he didn’t play a lot of NRL football this year,” Hogan said.

“‘Kevvie’ would like to see him run more, but it has been tough when he has to feed Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh as Brisbane’s main playmakers.

“His service is exceptional, his passing game is first class, so hopefully Cory can find his way back to the NRL, either at the Broncos or somewhere else.”

Cory Paix is on the outer at the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

After signing his two-year upgrade on the eve of the 2023 premiership, Paix declared he was ready to challenge Walters as Brisbane’s main man at hooker.

“I now feel I belong in the NRL at hooker,” Paix said.

“There’s a bit of competitive tension there. We’re in a professional sport and Billy is a great bloke.

“At the end of the day, we both want the same thing and it will come down to who does the job properly.

“We both know where we stand with Kevvie. I am happy to be in the 17 each week but ultimately I want to be starting and I’m sure Billy feels the same way.

“There’s no bad blood at all, we actually get on well, but ultimately we want what’s best for the team.

“There’s a number of reasons to be on my toes here. Blake Mozer is a great young player and there’s a lot of wraps on him, he has a big future.

“But I’m only 23 so I’m still young myself.”