AdminCory Paix’s aspirations of remaining a lifelong Broncos player seem to be fading unless the hooker is prepared to accept a significant pay reduction to stay in Brisbane. The salary cap constraints at the club have already compelled Selywn Cobbo to depart, and Paix might be the next one to exit, especially with reports indicating that the Broncos are close to securing new multi-year agreements for his teammates Kobe Hetherington and Corey Jensen.
Michael Maguire’s squad has recently solidified deals with captain Adam Reynolds, center Kotoni Staggs, and rising hooker Blake Mozer after they signed contract extensions. Furthermore, a considerable portion of their salary cap is committed to high-value contracts for star players Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Ezra Mam, and veteran Ben Hunt.
This predicament has led Cobbo to accept an offer to join the Dolphins next year after the Broncos could only provide him with a $300,000 contract, despite his current salary being twice that amount this season. It appears Paix might follow suit and be squeezed out because of salary cap issues unless he consents to a $150,000 pay cut.
Paix has performed exceptionally as Brisbane’s starting No.9 for significant portions of this season and currently earns about $300,000 annually. However, The Courier Mail reports that he would have to agree to a 50% pay drop to remain at Red Hill beyond this year, with the Gold Coast Titans emerging as a possible new destination for the Brisbane junior. An extension for Paix would yield only a slight increase over the NRL’s minimum salary of approximately $130,000, making his departure seem nearly unavoidable.
The 25-year-old began the season as Brisbane’s primary No.9 and has generally been preferred over Billy Walters, who is signed through the end of next season. The return of Hunt from injury has further complicated the hooker situation, as Paix was omitted from Brisbane’s 17-man roster last round to manage an elbow issue, allowing the veteran to take on the No.9 role.
Ben Hunt expressed his hope that Cory Paix remains with the Broncos amid the salary cap constraints. He acknowledged Paix’s outstanding contributions this season. “Cory has been excellent for us this year,” Hunt remarked to The Courier Mail. “He’s just a little bull terrier. He rips into his work. He’s incredibly fit and understands the game well. I genuinely sympathize with him a bit (in this uncertain situation). ‘Paixy’ is a fantastic clubman as well. He’s beloved around the club and makes great contributions. ”
Paix was reportedly nearing an agreement for an extension with the club earlier this year, and Maguire expressed his desire for the hooker to remain. However, those discussions were sidelined as Brisbane focused on other contracts, despite the fact that the 25-year-old from Brisbane made it evident he did not wish to depart from a club that means so much to him.
Reflecting on his future at the end of May, Paix faced the reality that he might have to leave the club. “I would love to be a Bronco for life, but sometimes you don’t get what you wish for,” the 25-year-old stated at that time. “I need to go out and play some good footy first before I can secure a contract. “
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has defended his bold try celebration against the Titans, which ignited discussions throughout the NRL community regarding the appropriateness of his backflips shortly after recovering from a serious knee injury. Walsh garnered attention with a striking performance for Brisbane on Sunday, which also highlighted a tense on-field exchange with his teammate, Kotoni Staggs.
However, it was his choice to commemorate his impressive try in the second half with an acrobatic celebration that left many questioning the actions of the Brisbane No.1. This maneuver even caused coach Michael Maguire a moment of concern, as Walsh performed a stunt that would make American gymnastics star Simone Biles proud.
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