Blindside: Cronk clone could end McCullough’s career, Croft leadership talk, Arrow v Wallace
A rising star at Brisbane could push veteran Andrew McCullough out of the round one team, Anthony Seibold responds to Brodie Croft leadership talk and Jai Arrow wants Jarrod Wallace in the ring. All that and more in BLINDSIDE.
Broncos
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PRE-SEASON: NRL starting 17s, SuperCoach analysis
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is set to ramp-up his production line with another young gun - Cooper Cronk look-a-like Cory Paix - rocketing into the frame for an NRL debut in 2020.
Blindside can reveal Paix is a frontline contender to be Brisbane’s super-sub in the No.14 jumper in a move that threatens to end the NRL career of veteran Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.
With Jake Turpin freshly installed as Brisbane’s first-choice hooker next season, McCullough - who has been a magnificent 10-year servant for the Broncos - was hoping to secure a place on Seibold’s interchange bench.
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But Paix is in the box seat to make his NRL debut for Brisbane’s round one clash against the Cowboys in the crucial utility slot after impressing Seibold with his development in the past 12 months.
Originally a halfback as a junior, Paix will be converted into a hooker at NRL level with the Broncos having spent the past year grooming him for first-grade duty with Intrust Super Cup affiliate Redcliffe.
Paix, who turns 20 next month, returned for Brisbane’s pre-season last month in superb shape. Seibold has been impressed not only with Paix’s training ethos, but his articulate manner, leadership ability and his speed and skill around the ruck.
If Paix continues his development over summer, McCullough could find himself playing for the Norths Devils in the Intrust Super Cup next season.
SEIBOLD PUTS CROFT LEADERSHIP RUMOURS TO BED
Broncos recruit Brodie Croft will not be part of the club’s leadership group in 2020. Croft joined a select group of Broncos players and coach Anthony Seibold last weekend for a bonding camp in Tasmania. Among the players were Brisbane’s leadership group for 2019 - including Darius Boyd, Patrick Carrigan, Alex Glenn, Payne Haas and Matt Lodge.
The appearance of Croft at the camp suggested he had been included in the leadership group despite having only just joined the club from the Melbourne Storm. But Seibold has insisted that’s not the case. Seibold included Croft in the camp so he could get to know some of Brisbane’s senior and emerging players intimately. It would have been a bold move to immediately elevate Croft to the leadership group before he had even met most of his new teammates
ARROW CALLS OUT ‘FAT MESS’ WALLACE TO BOUT
Titans star Jai Arrow has called teammate Jarrod Wallace a “fat mess” and challenged him to a boxing bout.
Wallace walked away from his first boxing fight a winner after disposing of former league player Nick Timms on the Mundine-Parr undercard at the weekend.
The former Queensland Origin forward looked in top shape for the bout and admitted he was much fitter than he usually is at this time of the year.
But that didn’t stop his close mate Arrow ripping into him during a podcast this week when speaking about pre-season training at the Titans.
“It’s a gruelling time of the year. I wouldn’t say we don’t enjoy it but it can mentally and physically ruin you,” Arrow told Beers’n’Banter.
“It’s Monday to Friday so unless you’re in fat club you don’t have to go in on weekends.
“You get your weekends off if you’re training hard and working hard, unless you’re a fat mess like Jarrod Wallace.
“I hope he wants to fight again because I’ll put my hand up. If he wants to fight again I’ll jump in with him.”
The Titans are under siege to retain Arrow with the battle for his signature now a six-way fight.
Souths’ interest in Arrow has been well documented but in the recent days three other clubs have tabled formal offers for the Queensland Origin ironman - Newcastle, the Dragons and Sharks.
The cashed-up Wests Tigers have also come into the mix late.
It is understood Arrow has been offered up to $900,000 a season, putting major pressure on the Titans, who face paying more than they anticipated to ensure the Maroons ace is not lost to the Gold Coast.
Titans culture boss Mal Meninga is carefully managing the salary cap but he may have to find more dollars to prevent Arrow quitting.
LYNNY HEATS UP FOR NEW SEASON
Brisbane Heat star Chris Lynn was spotted on Bribie Island this week cooking up a storm.
Lynn and teammates Jimmy Peirson and Mark Steketee were filming a promotion with outdoor leisure store BCF.
The Heat boys got stuck into some boating, camping and fishing, even cooking up crabs on the island.
The Heat on Thursday announced a sponsorship deal with BCF for the upcoming Big Bash.
TITANS TREATED TO COOLING OFF PERIOD
The entire Titans squad got a welcome break from pre-season training on Tuesday and cooled off at White Water World.
The Titans put a smile on some faces as part of the event for international day of people with a disability.
There were plenty of smiles getting about as the club’s biggest names hit the water with some of their most dedicated fans.
BELLYACHE SHEDS HAIR FOR CHARITY
Fashion icon and Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is shaving his head.
Bellamy and Storm winger Sandor Earl will shave their heads next week as part of a fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Bellamy and Earl are hoping to raise $30,000 and have already moved past the $15,000 mark.
Bellamy is currently in the United States and was spotted wearing some daring pants this week, much like the fashion-forward outfit he donned at the Dally M Awards.
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