Cory Paix putting pressure on established hookers at Brisbane Broncos

On the outer with former coach Kevin Walters, Cory Paix was told he was free to leave the Broncos, but the nuggety rake refused to walk, and now under a new coach his 526-day NRL exile looks set to end.

Brisbane’s forgotten man Cory Paix has rocketed into contention to end a 526-day NRL exile and be a round 1 bolter as the battle for Broncos hooking berths intensifies.

Paix has impressed new Broncos coach Michael Maguire with a bumper pre-season and is a genuine contender to be part of Brisbane’s top 17 for their premiership opener against the Roosters on March 6.

Just six months ago, Paix was on the outer with former Broncos coach Kevin Walters and given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

But the winds of change that ushered in a new era under Maguire have breathed life into Paix’s career at Red Hill.

Billy Walters finished the 2024 campaign as Brisbane’s first-choice hooker, with former Queensland under-19s young gun Blake Mozer wearing the No.14 jumper for the final round of the regular season.

Cory Paix has impressed during the pre-season. Picture: Patrick Woods.

But Maguire likes Paix’s work ethic and leadership qualities and is seriously considering the Toowoomba product for an NRL recall for Brisbane’s 2025 opener at Allianz Stadium.

“We have competition across every position, especially at hooker,” Maguire said.

“If you have a quality group of hookers, it really helps your team.

“I was fortunate to have great depth at Souths (whom Maguire coached from 2012-17), we had Issac Luke, Api Koroisau, Cam McInnes and Nathan Peats and that group created a competitive edge around how we wanted to play.

“The hookers here are all competing well and that’s what you want at training.

“I’m watching the style of play and their personalities.”

Maguire is an unabashed fan of players who rip in and give 100 per cent and Paix lives up to that billing.

Just turned 25, Paix played 14 consecutive matches as a bench back-up Walters to start the 2023 season, but was suddenly axed by Walters, opening the door for Tyson Smoothy to play in that year’s grand final.

Paix didn’t play a single minute of NRL last season, languishing in the Hostplus Cup as the highly-rated Mozer stepped up to challenge Smoothy and Walters.

The Broncos’ four-way hooking battle is further complicated by the off-season marquee signing of Ben Hunt, who is tipped to move from five-eighth to dummy half when Ezra Mam returns from suspension.

It is understood two Sydney clubs expressed interest in buying out Paix’s Broncos deal, which expires this season, but the off-contract rake is determined to fight his way back under Maguire.

“It’s a clean start for everyone. Madge is demanding hard work and that suits my style,” Paix said a fortnight ago.

“The easy option would have been for me to leave, but being stubborn, I’ve dug my heels in and given it a red-hot crack.

Cory Paix signs an autograph for Elsie Kal 8 at Broncos training at Red Hill. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s easy for people to whinge and kick stones, but it’s not in my nature to do that. I just knuckled down and worked hard and I just had to go to Wynnum and play a solid game there and help them out.

“It would be pretty amazing (to play NRL again). We have a long season in front of us, it would feel pretty special to get back, but there is a lot of work to be done in front of me.”

Paix hopes to be selected to play in front of his home crowd for Brisbane’s NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash against the Titans on Sunday week in Toowoomba.

“No-one is guaranteed a spot here,” he said.

“He (Maguire) has put it down to who wants to work hardest and displays the qualities he wants in a hooking role.

“I will keep chipping away.”

Originally published as Cory Paix putting pressure on established hookers at Brisbane Broncos