Maguire has opted for the No.9 who was previously sidelined by former coach Kevin Walters.
Cory Paix’s agent has dismissed any talk of tension between the Brisbane hooker and his teammate Billy Walters, despite their competition for the starting role. New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has named Paix as his first-choice dummy half for the season, a stark contrast to last year when he was overlooked by Kevin Walters—Billy’s father.
With Maguire taking over, Billy Walters has been relegated to an interchange role after being the preferred option under his father, playing a key role in Brisbane’s run to the 2023 grand final. However, after a disappointing 2024 campaign where the Broncos failed to make the finals, the club brought in Maguire, who has made his stance on the No.9 position clear.
Despite speculation about a possible rift between the two hookers, Paix’s agent, Paul Hogan, insists there is no animosity, emphasizing that the two are good friends. “There’s no tension,” Hogan told The Courier Mail. “Paixy and Billy have a great relationship. They even attended each other’s weddings, so there’s a lot of mutual respect. There’s no doubt that the coaching change has benefited Cory. Maguire has given everyone a fresh start, and selections are based purely on merit.”
Paix originally transitioned to the hooker role under former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, who saw similarities between him and representative No.9 Damien Cook. Since arriving at the club, Maguire has been impressed by Paix’s speed around the ruck and strong pre-season form, leading him to win the battle for the starting spot.
Paix now appears to have solidified his place as Brisbane’s first-choice hooker, pushing ahead of Walters and Tyson Smoothy, the latter of whom has since signed with Wakefield in the English Super League. Meanwhile, young prospect Blake Mozer, another candidate for the role, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Billy Walters Embraces Bench Role Behind Paix
Billy Walters previously admitted to News Corp that watching his father lose the coaching job was tough, but he always knew he had to fight for his starting spot. “There’s definitely pressure,” he said. “Even if Kev was still the coach, I wouldn’t have been guaranteed the No.9 jersey.
“What happened with my dad was tough at first, but everyone has moved on now, and I still love the club. The competition is strong, and if I don’t perform, I’ll drop down the pecking order.”
Walters’ demotion comes amid reports that Paix is close to signing a contract extension, which could impact his teammate’s future at the club. Paix’s agent recently confirmed that rival clubs have expressed interest, but his client is eager to remain with Brisbane. Maguire has also expressed his desire to keep him.
“Paixy has been excellent,” Maguire said. “I like his attitude and his approach to the game. The competition among the hookers has pushed him to another level.”
Paix himself believes Maguire’s coaching style suits his game perfectly. “Madge demands hard work, and that plays to my strengths,” he said. “I could have taken the easy way out and left, but I’ve chosen to dig in and give it everything.”
