Lockyer's message to out of favour Broncos veteran

Darren Lockyer has urged Corey Oates to think about his role as a utility player becoming permanent, with the Broncos veteran facing an uncertain future at the club.

The former State of Origin winger hasn’t featured this year in the NRL, with young gun Deine Mariner claiming a vacant wing position during pre-season and impressing in his early appearances for Brisbane.

Oates will make his return on Friday night however, with the 29-year-old selected on the bench for the side’s round four clash with the Cowboys.

Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ QLDER, the club director admitted Oates is unlikely to play regular first grade in the outside backs moving forward at Red Hill and should be weighing up a move closer to the middle of the field.

“It’s an opportunity for him,” Lockyer said.

“I also think maybe it is in his own thought process that maybe he has to adapt to being a versatile player … he’s not getting any younger.

“Maybe he needs to be able to cover the back-row … there’s value in that.”

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Oates has started just eight matches in the second-row during his NRL career and on his day, was among the game’s most destructive and dominant wingers.

But with his deal at the Broncos coming to an end this year, Queensland icon Wally Lewis believes a positional switch could prolong his tenure.

“To be able to be selected on the wing, second-row and probably up front should they need him, it’s going to be a great benefit to him if he does show how many positions he can play,” Lewis said.

“It’s great value to the coach and it will increase his own outlook on the game as well.”

Brisbane’s lack of depth in the edge forward role could also play into Oates’ hands, with Kurt Capewell leaving at the end of 2023 and Brendan Piakura sidelined with injury.