NRL 2023: Inside Kevin Walters’ brutal axing of Brisbane Broncos fan favourite winger Corey Oates

Kevin Walters made the biggest selection call of his three-year NRL coaching career in axing 201-game Broncos legend Corey Oates in favour of Jesse Arthars. This is how it went down.

Broncos.

Reborn Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has vowed to make the most of his opportunity during Brisbane’s premiership charge as the details of Kevin Walters’ brutal axing of fan favourite Corey Oates came to light.

Arthars is set to start on the left wing in Brisbane’s blockbuster preliminary final against either the Warriors or Knights at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday week.

Walters made one of the biggest selection decisions of his three-year Red Hill reign by overlooking 201-game club legend Oates for last week’s 26-0 qualifying final thrashing of the Storm.

Oates, 28, has been one of Brisbane’s most consistent performers over the past decade and sits fourth on the club’s all-time try-scorers’ list with 118 four-pointers.

But he has been overtaken in the Broncos’ wing pecking order by Arthars following an injury-plagued season that’s restricted Oates to nine try-less games.

Arthars, 25, has made the most of Oates’ misfortune, scoring eight tries in 18 games after returning to the Broncos following a one-season loan to the Warriors.

Corey Oates has been left on the bench for the finals. Picture: Josh Woning

Oates played in Brisbane’s final two games of the regular season before being called into Walters’ office alongside Arthars to learn he had been axed for the play-offs opener against Melbourne.

“Yeah, in his office. That’s where you go when Kev’s got something to say to you. He just says ‘meet me in my office’,” Arthars confirmed when asked how Walters delivered the news.

“I’m pretty cruisy. I just walked in there and whatever happens, happens. That’s how I look at pretty much everything in life.

“It’s hard when they pick someone over you or vice versa. That’s the hard calls you have in footy.

“It’s obviously a tough decision for Kev. Everyone wants to be in the team at this time of the year.

“Those are the hard conversations that you’re going to have. As a head coach in the finals, it’s probably not any easier.

“Kevvie’s handled it really well. There’s been times in the season where Oatesy’s gone in and I’ve sat out, and vice versa.

“Everyone’s attitude at the club, whether they’re playing or not, has been a big factor in why we’re in the finals.

“We just get on with it. We’re not going to dwell on it. We keep it in the past and whoever’s playing has to do their job.”

Walters is expected to retain an unchanged 17 for the grand final qualifier following Brisbane’s domination of the Storm.

Jesse Arthars has streaked ahead of Corey Oates. Picture: Kerry Marshall/Getty

And if the Broncos win, Oates is likely to miss the premiership decider at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on October 1, robbing him of an opportunity for redemption following Brisbane’s 2015 grand final loss to the Cowboys.

Oates was marking rival winger Kyle Feldt when he famously scored on the fulltime siren to send the game into golden point before Johnathan Thurston snapped a field goal to claim North Queensland’s first NRL title.

Oates, 28, is the only remaining player from that team still at the club but is now only an outside chance of suiting up in a second grand final.

It has been a fairytale return to Red Hill for Arthars, who made his NRL debut for the Titans in 2019 and spent the 2020-21 seasons at the Broncos before being loaned to the Warriors.

Arthars was able to get 12 NRL games under his belt last season instead of being stuck behind Queensland Origin wingers Selwyn Cobbo and Oates in Brisbane.

It was crucial first grade experience that’s helped him become an NRL regular in 2023.

“Going away for that year helped me out a lot. I was always coming back,” Arthars said.

“When you play more games you feel more confident and get used to the week-in, week-out grind. I came back here with a lot of confidence and that’s been the biggest factor for me.

“When I came back to the club I just wanted to put my best foot forward in the pre-season and stay fit. I told Kev wherever he needed me, I would be ready for him and the team.

“It’s worked out all year. Unfortunately for some players they’ve been injured and I’ve been lucky enough to get picked.

“I’m really enjoying it at the moment. I’m happy on and off the field. I was stoked to be back with the boys and I got re-signed halfway through the season.

“To be back here now and in the position we’re in is exciting. As long as the boys keep staying humble and working hard, I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of fun.”