Broncos’ Corey Oates set for permanent switch to back row

Coach Kevin Walters’ new regime at the Broncos has brought sweeping change, including a new position for one of the club’s greatest try-scorers.

Corey Oates’ career as a winger is over with the former Queensland Origin flyer making a permanent switch to the back row in a bid to replace former Broncos sensation David Fifita.

Coach Kevin Walters’ new regime at the Broncos has brought sweeping change and Oates is involved in the shake-up, with the 26-year-old relishing the prospect of a move from Brisbane’s backline to the forwards.

Oates has been so successful on Brisbane’s left flank he has scored 94 from 156 NRL games and developed into an Origin winger.

He is also the most prolific tryscorer at Suncorp Stadium, but Oates always harboured a desire to return to the back-row position in which he was graded by the Broncos as a teenager.

Now, after dabbling in the backs and forwards last season, the time for a full-time switch has arrived, with Oates to play in the back-row in Brisbane’s testimonial trial match for skipper Alex Glenn against the Cowboys on Saturday week.

Corey Oates is set for a positional switch. Picture: John Gass

Fifita’s off-season switch to the Titans has opened the door for Oates to clinch a starting back-row berth, although he admits he must improve his conditioning to handle the greater workrate in the forwards.

“I will be on the edge this year,” said Oates, who mingled with Brisbane supporters at the Broncos’ annual fan day on Saturday.

“Unless ‘Kevvie’ flips his mind and throws me out on the wing, I have been training the whole pre-season in the back row and I’m loving it.

“It’s been good, I am really happy to get a full couple of months training there and trying to get some reps under my belt in the back row. I have to keep training and get a bit more confidence there.

“Fitness will be the biggest challenge, I won’t lie. In the forwards, you are in the washing machine going around and around, working hard in there, you are on the ball a lot more, but I like feeling a bit more involved.

“I also need to be communicating with the people inside and outside of me. On the wing you don’t have anyone outside you except the touch judge, so I need to work on communication and back-to-back efforts.”

Corey Oates is the most prolific tryscorer at Suncorp Stadium.

Oates suffered a broken hand during the pre-season but he has made a good recovery and is building for Brisbane’s premiership opener against the Eels on March 12.

“My hand feels good,” he said.

“I trained all week this week and pretty much did the full session (on Friday) and Thursday, so I’m really happy with it.

“I will be ready to rock and roll for ‘Lexi’s’ (Glenn’s) testimonial game and hopefully it can be a good one for him.”

Originally published as Broncos’ Corey Oates set for permanent switch to back row