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Brisbane Broncos star linked to Gold Coast Titans in major fallout after Ben Hunt signing

Hunt's arrival has created a huge headache for new coach Michael Maguire.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read

NRL great Scott Sattler has predicted Cory Paix might end up at the Gold Coast Titans, warning the Broncos against severing ties with Billy Walters. Ben Hunt's arrival in Brisbane has added to an already-bulging hooker rotation featuring Walters, Paix, Tyson Smoothy and young gun Blake Mozer.

Hunt will play in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds to begin the 2025 season, but will switch to hooker once Ezra Mam returns at five-eighth. It means the Broncos have five first-grade calibre hookers and only two spots available (starting and on the bench).

Ben Hunt alongside Cory Paix and Billy Walters.
Ben Hunt's (R) arrival at the Brisbane Broncos means the likes of Cory Paix and Billy Walters (L) could be forced out. Image: Getty

New coach Michael Maguire has reportedly been impressed by what he's seen from 20-year-old Mozer at pre-season training, and the Broncos will be wary about limiting the first-grade opportunities of a young gun who has been highly rated. Walters appears likely to start the season at No.9 with Mozer on the bench, but once Hunt switches to hooker it will spell bad news for Walters, Paix and Smoothy.

Many have predicted Walters will be forced out of the club, particularly in light of the fact father Kevin was recently sacked as coach. But Sattler reckons that would be a mistake and has instead named Paix as the man most likely to leave.

Cory Paix and Billy Walters.
Cory Paix and Billy Walters will both have playing time reduced. (AAP Image/Darren England)

"When you're looking at a salary cap you have to look at who's taking up a large portion and if they're playing consistent first grade," Sattler said on SEN radio on Monday morning. "Billy Walters has played the most amount of first grade at hooker, and a lot of people will say that's because his dad was the coach.

"But that's not the case at all. Billy has really improved over the last three years. He was a kid who was playing in the halves at Easts Tigers (in Queensland Cup), and then went down to the Wests Tigers and started to play a lot more hooker, and I think he's become a very, very capable first grade hooker. So to get rid of Billy, I think you'd be cutting your nose off despite your face."

Cory Paix, pictured here at pre-season training with the Brisbane Broncos.
Cory Paix at pre-season training with the Brisbane Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old Walters has played 84 NRL games, cementing himself as the starting hooker in 2023. Paix has played 44 games but hardly any first grade over the last two seasons.

"Cory Paix is a fine young footy player, and whether it's because of injury or whatever reason, he hasn't been able to play consistent footy," Sattler said. "But I think he could be a good signing for the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans have one of the best forward packs in the competition.

"I think Cory Paix is a fine player and he'd be a really good signing for any team if that's the decision the Broncos make. He's also on a lot of money for a player who isn't playing a lot of first grade but should be."

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There have been reports the Roosters are chasing Titans hooker Sam Verrills for a return to the NRL club. But Sattler revealed he's heard whispers that Verrills isn't keen on heading back to Sydney.

Cutting ties with Paix would also free up some much-needed salary cap space at the Broncos, amid concerns they won't be able to retain both Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs. Captain Adam Reynolds is also likely to retire at the end of 2025, which will free up more money.