Broncos hooker Cory Paix has refused to concede his career at Red Hill was over, despite his future remaining insecure beyond the 2025 season.
Parachuted back into Brisbane’s starting side following injuries to Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds, the 25-year-old expressed his hope again he still had a future at his childhood club.
Paix had the opportunity to walk out on his current deal under former coach Kevin Walters, only to force his way into the team in incoming mentor Michael Maguire’s early days in the top job.
NRL off contract stars (left to right): Will Kennedy, Jack Gosiewski, Cory Paix, Feleise Kaufusi, Josh PapaliiCredit: Aresna Villanueva
He managed 16-straight appearances before being axed when Ben Hunt, Mam and Reynolds were all fit, before returning after a five-week axing with 32 tackles but not a single run in Saturday night’s triumph of the Dolphins.
The re-signing of Blake Mozer and Reynolds – which will keep Hunt in the No.9 jumper next year – has put Paix’s desire on murky ground, with fellow rake Billy Walters only out of the dummy-half role to accommodate for Mam at five-eighth.
Salary cap restraints will mean he will need to take a pay cut from his reported $300,000 a year deal, but the Toowoomba product insisted he would not give his next move full consideration until the NRL campaign ended in October.
Cory Paix is fighting for his Broncos’ future.Credit: Getty Images
“I feel like the way I’ve been brought up once you sign a deal you honour it. I am really proud of myself for doing that,” Paix said.
“We have some great talent here in the hooking role and I wanted to prove myself and I wanted to be at this great club. I still do, so there’s no place I’d rather be.