Overlooked Brisbane hooker Cory Paix has been named in the Queensland Cup Team of the Year after starring for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The Broncos local junior didn’t feature once for the club in the NRL this season as Kevin Walters’ side endured a nightmare campaign.
The No.9 found himself well down in the pecking order though despite the Broncos’ struggles with Tyson Smoothy and Blake Mozer preferred to partner first choice dummy-half Billy Walters.
The 24-year-old was an ever-present for the Seagulls as they made a hot start to the year, before trailing off in the second half of the campaign.
In Paix’s first season with the reserve grade outfit, he scored five tries, provided seven assists and tackled at a 96.8 per cent efficiency on his way to being named the competition’s best hooker.
Paix made his NRL debut in 2020 and has since gone on to make 44 appearances for the Broncos.
However, his future at Red Hill is currently uncertain with the club managing their salary cap with a number of high-profile stars due to come off-contract.
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Paix was joined in the QLD Cup Team of the Year by Dolphins star Trai Fuller.
When not putting in some stellar displays for Wayne Bennett’s side, the No.1 lit it up in reserve grade as he recorded seven tries and five assists in just 10 appearances.
Meanwhile, Jake Clifford was crowned Five-Eighth of the Year after starring alongside North Queensland teammate Thomas Duffy, who was named the comp’s best halfback, for the Northern Pride.