Latest news with #CoryPaix
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Another Broncos player on verge of exit as moves for teammates expose harsh reality
Cory Paix's dreams of being a Broncos player for life appear to be over unless the hooker is willing to take a substantial paycut to remain in Brisbane. The salary cap squeeze at the club has already seen Selywn Cobbo forced to leave and Paix could be the next to be pushed out, following reports the Broncos are on the verge of extending his teammates Kobe Hetherington and Corey Jensen on new multi-year deals. Michael Maguire's men have recently locked down captain Adam Reynolds, centre Kotoni Staggs and emerging hooker Blake Mozer after the trio signed contract extensions. And the club also has a large chunk of its cap tied up in big-money deals for superstars Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Ezra Mam and veteran Ben Hunt. The situation has already seen Cobbo agree to join the Dolphins next year after the Broncos were only able to offer the former Maroons star a $300,000 deal, despite the fact he's on double that this season. And Paix looks like being the next player squeezed out of the club due to salary cap constraints, unless he's willing to take a $150,000 paycut. Paix - who has impressed as Brisbane's starting No.9 for large parts of this season - is currently on a deal worth around $300,000 per year. But reports that the hooker would have to accept a 50% paycut to remain at Red Hill beyond this season, with the Gold Coast Titans emerging as a potential landing spot for the Brisbane junior. The extension for Paix would only represent a fraction more than the NRL's minimum wage of around $130,000, leaving his exit almost inevitable. The 25-year-old started the season as Brisbane's first-choice No.9 and has been largely used as Brisbane's starting hooker over Billy Walters, who is contracted until the end of next season. Hunt's return from injury has also complicated the hooker situation, with Paix dropped from Brisbane's 17-man squad last round to rest an elbow complaint and the veteran handed the No.9 jersey. Ben Hunt hopes Cory Paix stays at Broncos amid cap squeeze However, Hunt says he hopes the Broncos and his 'well-loved' teammate can come to an agreement to extend his time at the club, after hailing Paix's contributions this season. 'Cory has been excellent for us this year,' Hunt told The Courier Mail. 'He's just a little bull terrier. He just rips into his work. He's fit as all hell and he knows the game well. I actually do feel for him a bit (being in limbo). 'Paixy' is a really good clubman, too. He's well-loved around the place and just a great contributor to the club.' RELATED: Andrew Johns makes shock call on Kalyn Ponga leaving the Knights QLD legend piles pressure on Cleary with big call on Tom Dearden Roosters playmaker tipped to exit after being overlooked for veteran Paix was reportedly close to agreeing an extension at the club earlier this year and Maguire indicated that he wanted the hooker to stay. However, those negotiations were put on the backburners as Brisbane prioritised other deals, even though the 25-year-old Brisbane junior made it clear he didn't want to leave a club that "means the world" to him. Speaking about his future at the end of May, Paix accepted the harsh truth that he may have no option but to leave the club. "I would love to be a Bronco for life but sometimes in life you don't always get what you want," the 25-year-old said at the time. "I need to go out and play some good footy first before I get a contract."
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos player issues defiant message with Ben Hunt's return set to see him axed
Broncos star Billy Walters has claimed he will fight for his bench position at the club after Michael Maguire is expected to throw Ben Hunt straight into the No.9 role when he returns from injury. Fans were left deflated on Tuesday when it emerged Hunt would not be fit in time for the game against the Warriors on the weekend. Hunt has been out since injuring himself against the Rabbitohs in round 10 after a MCL injury. While he was expected to play this weekend at Suncorp, Maguire has been forced to sit him out for another round after failing to recover in time. This means Cory Paix will start at dummy-half, while Walters will come off the bench. Paix and Walters have switched roles a number of times throughout the season as Maguire has looked to find the right balance for his team. Paix appears to have won back the starting role, which leaves Walters in a precarious situation. Walters appears to have one more chance to prove himself this weekend, before Hunt is fit. And the Broncos utility admitted he isn't ready to let go of his jersey. "I feel like everyone's position's up for grabs," Walters said. "You have got to be playing good footy or you're not going to be in the team. So I don't know which way Madge (coach Michael Magure) is going to go. "It's kind of been up to me and Paixy to see who's playing the best or see who can bring the most to the team, so, I suppose we'll see in the next coming weeks. "I keep asking Dozer (Hunt) when he's going to be back, hoping he can push it back a little bit further just to make sure I'm in the team, but even if I'm not in the team I'll still be trying hard to get back in. You never know with rugby league these days, it could change pretty quickly, so you've always got to be ready and just take the opportunity when it's there." The Broncos have struggled at times this year with Hunt slotting into No.6 while Ezra Mam was serving his suspension. While the likes of Cooper Cronk thought the Broncos were better off with Hunt at five-eighth alongside Adam Reynolds, the form of Reece Walsh dropped as he struggled to link-up with the new spine. Mam's return appears to have helped Walsh play with more freedom and Hunt will revert to the No.9 role he was initially brought into play. While Hunt has played No.7 for most of his NRL career, he shifted to No.9 for Queensland in State of Origin. Slater has opted to use Hunt to start game in previous Origin series, working in tandem with Harry Grant in a dual-hooker role for Queensland. In fact, the Maroons' Game 2 vicory in Perth was the first time in five games that they'd won with the Storm superstar starting at hooker Hunt has excelled in this role having played it for both the Maroons and Australia. The switch would give Brisbane another creative outlet in attack and much needed big-game experience. RELATED: Blow for Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of Origin 3 Corey Parker calls for premiership-winning coach to stand down now While Walters is fighting for his position in the Broncos 17, the utility admitted he is just ready to take advantage of his opportunity. "You can't think too far ahead anyway. You have got to enjoy every moment that you pull on the Broncos jersey and be grateful for every chance that you get and go out there and play your best footy," he added. I just know if I'm playing my best football, then I'll be in the team somewhere."
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
‘They're definitely playing': Massive boost for Broncos with Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan set to play after Origin heroics
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has declared prop forward Payne Haas is 'definitely playing' after his herculean performance in the front row for NSW on Wednesday night despite barely training due to a quad injury. Haas was named man of the match in the game one win on the back of 138m, 27 tackles and zero misses after being in doubt for the Suncorp Stadium showdown. The machine in the middle didn't train with the team for the first few days of camp but played like a man possessed to help the Blues take a 1-0 series lead. There would be no shame in him wanting to rest up after a bruising battle on Wednesday, but he and front row partner Pat Carrigan are both set to take on Manly in a rare trip to Brookvale. 'They're definitely playing,' Maguire said. 'I'll wait and see (how many minutes they play) depending on how they're playing. 'Payne played a lot of time the other night and so did Patty. The amount of work they did for both teams was exceptional, so I'll just manage that as the game goes.' Maguire was thrilled to see the Blues win in enemy territory after he guided the team to a famous series victory last year, although he didn't want to gloat too much given he's now coaching the biggest club in Queensland. He has other things to worry about this weekend, with Maguire making a couple of key changes to the spine with Cory Paix starting at hooker and Jesse Arthars moving to fullback. Reece Walsh is still a week away as he recovers from a knee injury, with Arthars switching roles with Selwyn Cobbo, who will play on the wing after missing out on the Maroons side. 'They'll probably interchange a little bit, but Jesse has got a lot of energy with what he's doing,' the coach explained. 'Being able to utilise both he and big 'Selly' in a different way is something that I'm going to look at.' The Broncos start the round in eighth spot, but there is plenty of focus on a team that has lost three on the trot since their epic upset win over the Bulldogs. They were fantastic that night but haven't replicated that form, with Brisbane coming off a 30-26 loss to the Dragons that few saw coming before last week's bye. Effort and team cohesion have been questioned since then, but Maguire is confident his players can turn things around with ease. 'To be honest, it's pretty easy. And the players can actually see that,' he said. 'It's about individuals working hard with each other. There was a great bond with this group and that's why I've really enjoyed coaching the group. 'But you've got to be able to use that in games because the momentum of games is what it's about. When it swings on you, you've got to be able to make sure you come together, which I can see the boys doing.'
The Advertiser
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Broncos hooker still holds hope for 2026 contract offer
Off-contract starting Brisbane hooker Cory Paix is yet to receive an offer for next year but he's philosophical about uncertainty over his future. "I would love to be a Bronco for life but sometimes in life you don't always get what you want," the 25-year-old is the only Broncos hooker in the top-30 squad without a deal for 2026. Veteran Billy Walters is contracted until the end of next year, young gun Blake Mozer secured an extension through until the end of 2027, although the club is yet to announce it, and Tyson Smoothy will join Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal from 2026. Mozer's management has met with Brisbane in the past week and the club has made it clear they want to keep him, but so far no offer has been tabled. Paix returns to the starting side away against Manly on Saturday night. He started in the opening six rounds of the competition and has played the last five off the interchange bench. "I need to go out and play some good footy first before I get a contract. That's at the forefront this weekend," he said. Paix wants to stay at a club that "means the world" to him. "I came here straight out of school and even during school I was part of the junior academy," he said. "I have got my family close by and obviously the Broncos have spent a lot of time on me developing me into the person and player I am. Brissie is home to me." The Broncos have won four games when Paix started this season and only one when he hasn't. He said he was "super excited" to be back in the No.9 jersey. "My job doesn't change too much," he said. "I spoke with Madge (coach Michael Maguire) and worked on a few things in key areas he thought I could get better at. I thought I went away and done that. Now it is time for me to step up. We haven't been getting the results lately." The Broncos have lost five of their past six matches and it is second half collapses that have let them down. "If we can fix up little minor things that we have identified then I think we will give ourselves enough energy at the back end of games to really compete and go after it," Paix said. Brisbane have won just twice at Brookvale Oval in the last 33 years. The Broncos have not played away against Manly since 2014 due to an agreement from the Sea Eagles to host their "home" game at Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round. Brisbane's last victory at Manly was in 2010, a 22-6 win when Darren Lockyer was captain of the club. In 16 games at the venue since 1988 the Sea Eagles hold a 10-5 advantage with one drawn. Off-contract starting Brisbane hooker Cory Paix is yet to receive an offer for next year but he's philosophical about uncertainty over his future. "I would love to be a Bronco for life but sometimes in life you don't always get what you want," the 25-year-old is the only Broncos hooker in the top-30 squad without a deal for 2026. Veteran Billy Walters is contracted until the end of next year, young gun Blake Mozer secured an extension through until the end of 2027, although the club is yet to announce it, and Tyson Smoothy will join Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal from 2026. Mozer's management has met with Brisbane in the past week and the club has made it clear they want to keep him, but so far no offer has been tabled. Paix returns to the starting side away against Manly on Saturday night. He started in the opening six rounds of the competition and has played the last five off the interchange bench. "I need to go out and play some good footy first before I get a contract. That's at the forefront this weekend," he said. Paix wants to stay at a club that "means the world" to him. "I came here straight out of school and even during school I was part of the junior academy," he said. "I have got my family close by and obviously the Broncos have spent a lot of time on me developing me into the person and player I am. Brissie is home to me." The Broncos have won four games when Paix started this season and only one when he hasn't. He said he was "super excited" to be back in the No.9 jersey. "My job doesn't change too much," he said. "I spoke with Madge (coach Michael Maguire) and worked on a few things in key areas he thought I could get better at. I thought I went away and done that. Now it is time for me to step up. We haven't been getting the results lately." The Broncos have lost five of their past six matches and it is second half collapses that have let them down. "If we can fix up little minor things that we have identified then I think we will give ourselves enough energy at the back end of games to really compete and go after it," Paix said. Brisbane have won just twice at Brookvale Oval in the last 33 years. The Broncos have not played away against Manly since 2014 due to an agreement from the Sea Eagles to host their "home" game at Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round. Brisbane's last victory at Manly was in 2010, a 22-6 win when Darren Lockyer was captain of the club. In 16 games at the venue since 1988 the Sea Eagles hold a 10-5 advantage with one drawn. Off-contract starting Brisbane hooker Cory Paix is yet to receive an offer for next year but he's philosophical about uncertainty over his future. "I would love to be a Bronco for life but sometimes in life you don't always get what you want," the 25-year-old is the only Broncos hooker in the top-30 squad without a deal for 2026. Veteran Billy Walters is contracted until the end of next year, young gun Blake Mozer secured an extension through until the end of 2027, although the club is yet to announce it, and Tyson Smoothy will join Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal from 2026. Mozer's management has met with Brisbane in the past week and the club has made it clear they want to keep him, but so far no offer has been tabled. Paix returns to the starting side away against Manly on Saturday night. He started in the opening six rounds of the competition and has played the last five off the interchange bench. "I need to go out and play some good footy first before I get a contract. That's at the forefront this weekend," he said. Paix wants to stay at a club that "means the world" to him. "I came here straight out of school and even during school I was part of the junior academy," he said. "I have got my family close by and obviously the Broncos have spent a lot of time on me developing me into the person and player I am. Brissie is home to me." The Broncos have won four games when Paix started this season and only one when he hasn't. He said he was "super excited" to be back in the No.9 jersey. "My job doesn't change too much," he said. "I spoke with Madge (coach Michael Maguire) and worked on a few things in key areas he thought I could get better at. I thought I went away and done that. Now it is time for me to step up. We haven't been getting the results lately." The Broncos have lost five of their past six matches and it is second half collapses that have let them down. "If we can fix up little minor things that we have identified then I think we will give ourselves enough energy at the back end of games to really compete and go after it," Paix said. Brisbane have won just twice at Brookvale Oval in the last 33 years. The Broncos have not played away against Manly since 2014 due to an agreement from the Sea Eagles to host their "home" game at Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round. Brisbane's last victory at Manly was in 2010, a 22-6 win when Darren Lockyer was captain of the club. In 16 games at the venue since 1988 the Sea Eagles hold a 10-5 advantage with one drawn.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Broncos hooker still holds hope for 2026 contract offer
Off-contract starting Brisbane hooker Cory Paix is yet to receive an offer for next year but he's philosophical about uncertainty over his future. "I would love to be a Bronco for life but sometimes in life you don't always get what you want," the 25-year-old is the only Broncos hooker in the top-30 squad without a deal for 2026. Veteran Billy Walters is contracted until the end of next year, young gun Blake Mozer secured an extension through until the end of 2027, although the club is yet to announce it, and Tyson Smoothy will join Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal from 2026. Mozer's management has met with Brisbane in the past week and the club has made it clear they want to keep him, but so far no offer has been tabled. Paix returns to the starting side away against Manly on Saturday night. He started in the opening six rounds of the competition and has played the last five off the interchange bench. "I need to go out and play some good footy first before I get a contract. That's at the forefront this weekend," he said. Paix wants to stay at a club that "means the world" to him. "I came here straight out of school and even during school I was part of the junior academy," he said. "I have got my family close by and obviously the Broncos have spent a lot of time on me developing me into the person and player I am. Brissie is home to me." The Broncos have won four games when Paix started this season and only one when he hasn't. He said he was "super excited" to be back in the No.9 jersey. "My job doesn't change too much," he said. "I spoke with Madge (coach Michael Maguire) and worked on a few things in key areas he thought I could get better at. I thought I went away and done that. Now it is time for me to step up. We haven't been getting the results lately." The Broncos have lost five of their past six matches and it is second half collapses that have let them down. "If we can fix up little minor things that we have identified then I think we will give ourselves enough energy at the back end of games to really compete and go after it," Paix said. Brisbane have won just twice at Brookvale Oval in the last 33 years. The Broncos have not played away against Manly since 2014 due to an agreement from the Sea Eagles to host their "home" game at Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round. Brisbane's last victory at Manly was in 2010, a 22-6 win when Darren Lockyer was captain of the club. In 16 games at the venue since 1988 the Sea Eagles hold a 10-5 advantage with one drawn.
