Paix out to master the subtle art of deception

Cory Paix has the power and the passion to help propel the Broncos back to the finals but it's a dash of deception he's keen to add to his repertoire as the new season approaches.

With the help of former Maroons hooker Matt Ballin, who has joined the club as a development coach, 21-year-old Paix is working hard on the subtleties he hopes will complement his natural aggression.

After playing 13 games in his debut season in 2020, Paix was restricted to just four appearances last year, one of which was the final-round upset of the Knights which served notice that the Broncos could be on the verge of a revival.

"My running game is a strength, so a bit of deception is what I'm after," Paix said on Monday.

"It's great having Matt Ballin here, a bloke of his calibre, he is helping me every day to get better.

"And Adam Reynolds is a general. You can see why he's the player he is. There's a clear mindset going in to training when you know you've got him by your side. He's helping me with when to run.

"For me it's about getting in the team and staying in the team. I'd like to keep improving my game and get the Broncos back up the top of the ladder."

If all goes to plan for Paix, he and good mate Jake Turpin will provide the 1-2 hooking punch that gives premiership-winning playmaker Reynolds the platform from which to work his magic and steer the Broncos back to the finals for the first time since 2018.

With Turpin among those Broncos currently unable to train, Paix is tearing into pre-season with trademark commitment and revelling in the extra workload.

"It's our first full week back and there's no excuses with a few boys away," Paix said.

"We are all training pretty hard the fellas that are here, and once the boys do return I'm sure we'll gel together nicely again like we did pre-Christmas.

"Because there's not two players in each position at the moment you are asked to do a bit more so it is tougher but that's good for my fitness. I'm getting a lot more reps there at hooker and that can only benefit me leading into trials."

After playing halfback for many years as a junior, Paix says the switch to No.9 has been a breath of fresh air and reignited his passion for the game.

"I played halfback for so long and it got repetitive but once I changed to nine it felt like a kid again - I found a lot more love for the game," Paix said.

"I'm still pretty new at No.9 but it suits my personality, just getting in and ripping in. My long-term goal is to start at nine but there's plenty of blokes pushing one another for positions and that's what we need here.

"What I've learned at halfback I can use at hooker as well. The way the game is changing I can use my speed, my skill set, my running game."

Add a dash of deception and Kevin Walters has one very dangerous customer at his disposal as Brisbane look to carry their late-season momentum into their 2022 campaign.