When Brisbane Broncos veteran Corey Oates was younger, he established a reputation as a “do anything, anywhere, and at any time” type of football player in many positions, which is now paying off.
The 29-year-old Queensland representative found a home on the wing to become the Broncos’ fourth-highest try-scorer of all time, with 119 tries in 202 games, but he is now relishing the new role coach Kevin Walters has assigned him.
Oates, who suffered a knee injury earlier this season, came off the bench in the forwards for his first NRL game of the season on Friday night, scoring a try and wreaking havoc in the 34-12 victory over the Cowboys.
Walters has stated that he plans to keep it as a utility position for the time being in order to deal with the loss of an outside back during a match.
“When I first started coming through, I can’t remember who said it to me, but they said ‘you’re so mobile in the utility role, so it could possibly be the reason why you’re on the bench a lot and always helping backing up’,” Oates recollects.
“Then I found the wing, which had been my home for so many years, and I suppose it has now come to aid me. I can play numerous positions.
“Whenever I have the opportunity to be on the field and help the team, I have to go out there and do my job. “I’ve played every position before, so it’s nothing new to me.”
Oates, who had an injury-plagued 2023, lost his starting wing berth this year to young gun Deine Mariner. But he isn’t bitter or twisted about it; just the opposite.
Despite what some have written about him, he did not play in the Queensland Cup for Burleigh early this season because he was recovering from a knee injury.
“(The knee) gave me a bit of grief and I didn’t give it a rest. When I didn’t get picked, I kept trying to push and push and push and it did me no good in the end,” Oates said.
“I had to get a couple of needles to settle it down and that’s the reason I was training away from everyone for the last few weeks. But at the moment it feels the best it’s felt for a long time, so I’m pretty happy.
“I’ve been playing for a long time. When you start getting older you get the young kids coming through. They push for your position and something’s got to give eventually.
“There’s always going to be change and a new wave coming through. I’m just doing my part at training.”
When Oates came off the bench at Suncorp Stadium against the Cowboys he received the biggest cheer of the night. He’s previously won the Broncos’ fan favourite award on presentation night, so it was no surprise.
“That was crazy. It gave me massive chills. I don’t know if they got it on camera, but I couldn’t help it, I had this smile and it made me very happy,” he said.
“The crowd and the fans is the big reason why I’ve always stayed at the Broncos. I love the club so much.”
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