BY DAN

What do you do when you’re restricted by uninspiring and limited ruck play? What do you do when you have two rakes on your first grade roster better at running than passing? What do you do when you don’t really have a plan at hooker beyond making it through until one of your emerging taken prove itself worthy? You chase Cory Paix, a player who is all these things and not demonstrably more. At least according to the speculation of the Sydney Morning Herald’s Adrian Proszenko, speaking to SEN league radio.

Let’s start with some caveats. It’s that time of the year where “they’ve been told so-and-so is available” becomes “they’re interested”. From Proszenko’s description it’s not clear Canberra have done much more than be told they might want to have a look at him. That’s doesn’t mean they’re not, and you can insert something about smoke and fire if you feel like taking the hop, skip, and jump from speculation to rostering.

It’s worth noting this could be a push rather than pull scenario. The Broncos are looking to be creative with their salary cap after inking big extensions for a heap of their stars over the last few years. Cory is contracted for 2025 and so this becomes a benefit to Brisbane in freeing up space, either to facilitate those extensions or for some breathing room. Paix is only reportedly on $320k, but that’s more than you’d expect of him, and enough free space to make a difference when you’re leaning into Billy Walters….for some reason. For his part Cory has repeatedly turned down offers from Manly and interest from the Roosters (last year) to stay in Brisbane. So I guess the beach isn’t his thing?

If we accept the premise at face value it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but unfortunately in a way that is consistent how Canberra seems to prefer its hookers: running and tackling. Honest footballers more bereft of guile than Streetfighter III. Since Josh Hodgson’s departure the Raiders have repeatedly leaned into nines who at their best are runners first, defenders second, and creators last. Even when they’ve had success with more expansive play at nine it’s been temporary, and they’ve come right back to a certain style at nine. If it was your mate you’d be joking about the Milk having a type. Paix fits the bill and is more of the same. Better service than Tom and Levi. Worse defence than Starlo. But we’re equivocating about minor differences in what is essentially variations on a theme.

That’s at face value. Without wanting to get into the vast array of potential conspiracy theories, there likely a roster component to this, rather than the Raiders being enticed by Paix’s unpretentious offerings. Canberra are hardly swimming in talent at nine, at least not in the first grade squad. Owen Pattie looks a talent but it would take a brave man or a lunatic to bet on him being a big part of 2025. Levi wants to leave, and maybe he finds his way out. Canberra need to be prepared for that eventuality, and Paix at least provides first grade level coverage should that eventuate.

The timing of it is also curious from a Canberra perspective. This rumour comes hot on the heels of the Milk turning theirs and “walking away” from Danny Walker and Warrington’s onerous transfer fees. The Wolves are more likely to agree to a deal if the Raiders at least appear to have another option. Paix might just be noise but he could be useful noise. Even if it’s not deliberate, it’s probably worth at least not publicly rejecting it. Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems after all.

But it isn’t the best sign when your thinking is “maybe our interest in this player is evidence we’ll sign another player”. I guess that’s the Cory Paix experience. A more pleasant approach with greater upside could be found in chasing Jayden Brailey but alas past reports are the money isn’t right.

We’re curious as to where this goes. Is it nothing? Are the Bronx trying to dump and run? Is it doubling down on an approach to nines that we’ve never been able to understand? It is 4D chess and we should all applaud Donny, Joel and Stick for some Kasparov level shit? I’ll guess we’ll find out.

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