Brisbane Broncos are under intense salary cap pressure, reportedly facing a $4 million shortfall. That squeeze has put key players under the microscope and opened the possibility of mid-season departures.
One name emerging amidst the scramble is hooker Cory Paix. The Cowboys are weighing up a derby raid, potentially targeting him to alleviate their own positional needs while capitalizing on the Broncos’ strained cap position.
The North Queensland Cowboys are circling Brisbane hooker Cory Paix as the Broncos grapple with a severe salary cap squeeze reportedly worth $4 million. The cap pressure has forced Brisbane to weigh difficult roster decisions, putting several players’ futures in doubt just weeks before the NRL finals race intensifies.
Paix, 25, has been on the fringes of the Broncos’ top 17 for much of the past two seasons, struggling to secure consistent game time behind established rake Billy Walters. However, a recent injury crisis in the Broncos’ spine has reopened the door for Paix to feature in first grade, giving him a short but crucial window to showcase his value.
The Cowboys’ interest comes at a time when Paix is off-contract at the end of 2025 and facing the possibility of a substantial pay cut if he remains in Brisbane. Reports suggest the Broncos’ cap woes are so severe that even long-serving squad members could be moved on to free up space for re-signing star players like Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, and Ezra Mam.
North Queensland, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their dummy-half stocks. Jake Granville is nearing the end of his career, and the club has been exploring options to add depth and competition in the hooker role heading into 2026. Paix’s experience and utility value—he can also play in the halves—make him an appealing target.
While no formal offer has been tabled, sources close to the situation believe the Cowboys would be willing to offer Paix a longer-term deal with greater first-grade opportunity. For Paix, the move north would not only guarantee more game time but could also provide a career reset away from the shadow of Walters at the Broncos.
Brisbane’s management has remained tight-lipped on the situation, but the club’s precarious financial position has been well documented. NRL clubs are permitted to operate within the $12.1 million salary cap for 2025, but ballooning payments to a core group of representative stars have left little flexibility for squad depth.
If the Cowboys’ pursuit is successful, it would add extra spice to the Queensland derby and underline the growing challenge for clubs to retain talent under the modern cap system. For Paix, the coming weeks could define not just his short-term future but the trajectory of his entire career.
