LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Cory Paix is set to tip the scales in his favor following Kevin Walters' decision to banish him to reserve grade and offer him a ticket out of the Brisbane Broncos.
Paix showcased his skills by scoring two tries in a resounding victory against the Titans in a NRL trial game, marking a promising start to the Michael Maguire era.
The 25-year-old's standout performance in front of his supporters was a stellar audition for the starting hooker position as Maguire seeks to build his dream team for the upcoming season.
Despite being benched for the entire 2024 season in favor of Walters' son Billy and Tyson Smoothy, Paix has bounced back stronger and now stands on the brink of claiming the coveted No.9 jersey.
In a twist of fate similar to Kobe Hetherington's situation, who now eyes the lock position under Maguire after Walters suggested he look elsewhere, Paix is primed to topple Billy Walters from his starting spot.
With injuries sidelining Blake Mozer and Smoothy's departure to England, Paix has emerged as the frontrunner for the position.
Paix's stellar showing has left Walters' decision in shambles, with the crafty hooker looking to rewrite the narrative and carve out a new chapter in the Broncos' history books.
With Maguire at the helm, the Broncos could be witnessing the rise of a new era led by the likes of Paix and Hetherington as they gear up to face the challenges that lie ahead on the NRL battlefield.