NRL 2024: Blake Mozer, Broncos young gun, to miss premiership opener after injury setback

A Brisbane young gun has suffered a serious setback with the boom hooker set to miss the start of the new premiership - and potentially the entire season - as he fights for his Broncos future.

Peter Badel

@badel_cmail

2 min read

February 12, 2025 - 8:27PM

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Brisbane young gun Blake Mozer has suffered an early-season setback with the boom hooker set to miss the start of the new premiership as he fights for his future at the Broncos.

Mozer has suffered a shoulder injury in training in a blow to the former Queensland under-19s young gun’s hopes of clinching a top 17 berth for Brisbane’s round 1 clash against the Roosters on March 6.

Mozer was hoping to play in this Sunday’s NRL Pre-Season Challenge trial against the Titans but the emerging rake was scratched after a training mishap.

It’s understood the 20-year-old could require surgery on his shoulder - which would potentially end his 2025 season - but the Broncos will attempt to rehab the injury to keep him on the park.

Blake Mozer of the Broncos looks dejected after his team's defeat during the round 19 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, on July 13, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. PIcture: Getty Images

The former Queensland under-19s skipper is also ruled out of Saturday week’s final pre-season trial against the Bulldogs, with Mozer resigned to missing the opening rounds of the 2025 premiership.

Mozer is locked in a five-way battle for two hooking spots this year and his pre-season injury opens the door for Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy to support first-choice rake Billy Walters.

The Gold Coast product is off-contract at season’s end and his management have begun talks with rival clubs in a bid to secure his future.

Blake Mozer in action at Broncos training at Red Hill. Picture: Adam Head

Mozer’s preference is to remain at the Broncos, but the former Mal Meninga Cup sensation is under pressure to deliver on his potential under Michael Maguire’s new coaching regime at Red Hill.

The 183cm rake made his NRL debut in 2023, playing one game, and added a further eight matches last season, showing signs of promise with some slick service and crisp passing from dummy half.

Broncos hierarchy believe the 2025 season is the year in which Mozer comes of age after spending the past three seasons serving his apprenticeship training with Brisbane’s NRL squad.

Such was his talent, Mozer first trained with the Broncos NRL squad as a 17-year-old and he was touted as Queensland’s most promising young hooker since Storm legend Cameron Smith.

Blake Mozer sweats it out during pre season training with the Broncos at Red Hill. Picture: Adam Head

But Maguire wants to see more from Mozer this season and while he has been encouraged to work harder at Broncos training, the shoulder injury may hamper his progress in 2025.

Mozer faces playing through the pain barrier in the coming weeks and months as Broncos medicos look to rehab his shoulder and avoid the promising hooker going under the knife.

Mozer has been linked with the Titans by virtue of his ties to the Gold Coast - he attended Keebra Park High - but the Broncos are hopeful the rising rake can go to another level this season and clinch a contract upgrade.