Incumbent Brisbane hooker Billy Walters is ready for one final shootout for the No.9 jersey and may the best man win.
The race to be starting rake against Sydney Roosters in round one of the NRL on March 6 is reaching the finish line with Walters and Cory Paix neck and neck.
Fellow Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy is probably just behind that duo ahead of the club's final trial in Redcliffe against Canterbury on Saturday night..
Paix was electric as the starting rake in the 50-12 win over Gold Coast in Toowoomba on Sunday on his way to scoring two tries.
Walters, 31, started at five-eighth, where he set up an early try, before switching to hooker and topping the tackle count.
After starting his career in the halves he has been utilised exclusively as a hooker since round six of 2022 and was the starting No.9 in the 2023 grand final.
"Cory has come back fit and strong and really pushed me for that No.9 position. It is going to come down to who plays the best next week," Walters said.
Walters has reinforced his ability as a playmaker in the pre-season and has divided his time between the halves and dummy-half. It is that versatility that will make him an even more valuable commodity as the season unfolds.
"In the NRL you can't just float between positions. You've got to rep in the positions and do time in a spot otherwise you get found out," Walters said.
"I did a fair bit of work in the pre-season at both No.6 and No.9. It was a good step today and hopefully I can continue that if I need to go there again.
"I am hoping (coach Michael Maguire) is going to take two hookers in the 17 into round one. I will be happy to be in the team anywhere, whether that is 6, 9 or 14. I just love playing for the Broncos."
Paix did not play NRL in 2024 but honed his craft at Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. His stocks have risen since the arrival of Maguire, who values his work ethic and speed from dummy-half with the ball.
"Queensland Cup is no slouch competition and to go back and play 80 minutes (in 2024) was really pleasing for me to do week-in and week-out," said Paix, adding his father had taught him "no matter what jersey you wear, you do it to the best of your ability".
"I'm pretty confident I can play football - I just needed to be given a chance," he said. "I will keep chipping way."
As for his round one hopes, the 25-year-old was typically taking nothing for granted.
"I have got the belief. I will get another crack next week hopefully," he said.
