Queensland Origin prospect Blake Mozer is in the mix to be Brisbane’s new hooker as the Broncos fight to retain free agent
A young gun has bolted into contention for a crucial starting position at the Broncos, as the club fights to retain the off-contract Queensland Origin prospect.
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Dummy-half dynamo Blake Mozer has bolted into contention for Brisbane’s No. 9 jersey as the Broncos fight to retain the Queensland Origin prospect.
Mozer has made a cracking first impression on new coach Michael Maguire after blitzing his teammates in the early stages of pre-season training.
The crafty hooker reported for training in supreme fitness on the back of some impressive performances in eight NRL games for the Broncos last year.
At 20, Mozer is still in the infancy of his first grade career but is entering a pivotal stage.
He is off-contract at the Broncos this year and attracting interest from rival clubs amid a dearth of quality young hookers in the game.
Maguire said he had been impressed by Mozer since taking the reins at Red Hill following the departure of Kevin Walters.
“Blake is developing well,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed talking to him about the role of a nine. It’s very important.
“He is touching the ball more than anyone. The nine dictates a fair bit about how we play.
“He’s been good with the way he’s gone about his training and learning his craft.”
A former Queensland under-19s Origin representative, Mozer has been touted as Brisbane’s next long-term No. 9.
He has only come off the bench in his nine appearances for Brisbane since his 2023 debut, but that might be about to change.
Maguire is running his eye across Brisbane’s entire squad, including incumbent hooker Billy Walters, son of former coach Kevin Walters.
Walters made the hooker position his own during Brisbane’s run to the 2023 grand final, but the rise of Mozer has given Maguire food for thought.
Mozer made a noticeable impact in numerous matches late last season as the Broncos searched for form, ultimately in vain as they missed the finals and finished 12th.
He was also crowned Brisbane’s rookie of the year.
The return of Test and Origin hooker Ben Hunt to Brisbane has also thrown a curve ball into the make-up of Brisbane’s spine given he could feature at dummy-half if needed.
Maguire will be closely watching the Broncos in three trial matches before he picks his team for round 1 of the NRL Premiership and the new coach said Mozer was in contention for a starting role.
“I haven’t really got to that at the moment but he is definitely in the mix,” he said.
Mozer has been in Brisbane’s system since his early teens.
But he is officially on the NRL’s open market and able to be poached from next season.
The Broncos have been in talks with Mozer about a new deal and Maguire said he was a fan of the local product.
“All those things will be decided in time,” he said.
“I really like Blake. He is a very good player.”
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Originally published as Queensland Origin prospect Blake Mozer is in the mix to be Brisbane’s new hooker as the Broncos fight to retain free agent
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