Brisbane hooker Cory Paix is edging closer to a Brisbane contract extension just six months after his career was on life support.
The 25-year-old tackling machine did not play a match of NRL last year but his defensive clout and silver service from dummy-half has been a key to the Broncos' 2-1 start to the season ahead of Friday night's derby with the Dolphins.
Off-contract Paix, who has made 84 tackles in his last two games with none missed, has been told by the Broncos he is wanted by the club for 2026 and beyond.
AAP understands his management has met with Broncos head of recruitment Simon Scanlan three times. A deal has not been tabled as both parties are waiting to get a clearer picture of the club's salary cap position next year. Paix, currently on approximately $325,000, will now command $400,000-plus if he stays.
He attracted interest from the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta last year, along with several Super League clubs, but elected to fight his way back into favour at the Broncos.
It is that fighting spirit and defensive clout that has impressed new coach Michael Maguire.
Paix was careful when asked about his future, but he's walked the talk when it comes to his determination to be a Bronco long-term, saying he does not want to leave.
"To be honest, I have taken each day as it comes," he said.
"This may have been my last year at the Broncos so I was going to enjoy every moment possible. I've had to work really hard and put myself in this position. When that (extension) comes it will come.
"I started here as a young kid and this place is all I have known. I have had some pretty good milestones here.
"Not just on the field but off the field (with marriage and finishing a carpentry apprenticeship) .
"Brissie is home for me. My family is back in Toowoomba which is pretty close as well, so obviously that is important. If I can keep everyone in my family happy that is good."
Paix, sporting a black eye, was speaking after one of the most brutal Broncos training sessions in recent memory with the NRL top 17 up against the "Mustangs".
Paix had just bashed Brisbane prop Ben Te Kura, the tallest man in the NRL, and crumpled him in half while jolting the ball free.
Returning centre Kotoni Staggs tackled a Mustang into next week with a mighty collision before prop Payne Haas manhandled half Jock Madden and slammed him on his back.
"I'm a small body and I come up against big blokes every week. I've got to put my body on the line," Paix said when asked about the Te Kura tackle and the physical session in general.
"Obviously at the start of pre-season we wanted to ramp (defence) up and it is no different in-season. We can't dwell on just one win from the previous week so we want to get better each session. To do that we have to ramp it up at training and go after it.
"The Dolphins will be no slouches. They will want to come after us and we will have to match it."
