Broncos hooker Billy Walters believes he still has a future at Red Hill, despite the club’s retention of the man touted as the club’s long-term No.9.
Walters has swapped with Cory Paix between the starting side and bench since Michael Maguire took the coaching reins from his father, Kevin Walters, and faces an uncertain period as he navigates a tightening dummy-half logjam.
While the 31-year-old remains contracted until the end of 2026, he can negotiate with rivals from November 1 – a path he may need to take upon Blake Mozer’s extension and Ben Hunt’s imminent return from a hamstring injury.
Billy Walters (left) is poised to compete with Blake Mozer (right) to join Ben Hunt in the hooker rotation next year.Credit: NRL Photos
“I actually had a little joke with Mozer the other day that Souths Logan will be cheering that he’s signed for another two years,” Walters laughed, before addressing the nature of the internal competition.
“It brings out your best footy, competition – we’ve got a lot of good nines for the club. It just means I’ve got to play my best footy, or I’ll find myself playing Queensland Cup.
“It’s a good position to be in. You can’t think too far ahead, you’ve just got to worry about what’s happening now and what’s happening this week.”
Mozer committed to the Broncos until the end of 2027 last week. However, he has not seen any NRL action this year after suffering a shoulder injury late in the preseason.
But the 21-year-old has been earmarked for an extensive career as Brisbane’s dummy-half, while 19-year-old Cameron Bukowski – signed on a development deal this year – has shown impressive signs at Wynnum Manly.
Tyson Smoothy is headed for the Super League, while Paix is yet to sign beyond 2025.
Walters’ versatility to cover the halves could ensure he remains, but he revealed he was yet to consider his future long-term.
“I’ve signed for next year, so I’m not too worried. You can’t think too far in rugby league, a lot of things can change – if you asked me this time last year, I wouldn’t have thought Ben Hunt was going to be at the club,” Walters said.
“At the moment, I’ve got a spot on the team, so I have just got to make sure I can hold that spot. I love playing for the Broncos and, as long as they’ll take me, I’ll keep turning up and keep wanting to play for the club.
“To do that I’ve got to play good footy and make sure Madge [coach Michael Maguire] wants me.”
The Broncos could undergo a dramatic facelift ahead of 2026.
Forwards Corey Jensen, Kobe Hetherington, Fletcher Baker, Jaiyden Hunt and Jack Gosiewski are all without a deal beyond this year, while Martin Taupau has already left.
Jensen, Gosiewski and Hetherington have been regular fixtures in the top side; however, the latter was dropped to the bench after starting the season at lock.
Brisbane’s pack have been under fire to provide better support for State of Origin stars Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas – who leads the competition for offloads (41), while sitting second for post-contact metres and fourth for tackle busts in a Herculean campaign.
But Jensen was adamant he belonged in the Maguire regimen.
“I would love to stay here, coming down here was sort of like a new lease on life for me. I didn’t really know where rugby league for myself was going after my stint at the Cowboys, and they gave me an opportunity here,” Jensen said.
“I’ll obviously leave that to my manager, but if there’s an opportunity to stay here, I really like what we’re growing [and] what we’re building here as a group.
“Obviously, I’m not as gifted as Payne, but I try and bring my own strengths to the game and work where I can and do those little extra effort areas.
“Payno’s just a bit of a freak when he’s out there, and you just try and get off the back of him.”
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