NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos veteran Corey Oates addresses Kevin Walters ‘rift’ rumours

The NRL rumour mill went into overdrive when Broncos veteran Corey Oates was mysteriously withdrawn from reserve grade. Now he’s broken his silence on a reported rift with coach Kevin Walters.

Kevin Walters and Corey Oates.

Broncos veteran Corey Oates has broken his silence on a rumoured rift with coach Kevin Walters and explained why he opted to sit on the sidelines instead of play reserve grade as he contemplates his NRL future.

Oates made a triumphant return to the NRL on Good Friday, scoring his first try in 588 days as Brisbane smashed the Cowboys 38-12 in a Queensland derby demolition.

A Broncos fan favourite and the club’s current longest serving player, Oates was nearly brought to tears by the raucous reception he received from the crowd of 45,793 at Suncorp Stadium when he came off the bench with 15 minutes to go.

A statesman of 202 NRL games for the Broncos since his 2013 debut, Oates found himself in limbo when he was overlooked by Walters for Brisbane’s historic Las Vegas season-opener.

Reports of tension at Red Hill intensified when Oates was mysteriously withdrawn from Brisbane’s feeder team Burleigh Bears, prompting suggestions the former Queensland Origin winger was refusing to play reserve grade.

Speaking for the first time about the controversy, Oates said Walters backed his decision to manage a knee condition and prioritise a return to the NRL over minutes in the Hostplus Cup.

Corey Oates scored his first try in 18 months on Good Friday. Picture: NRL Photos

“I spoke to ‘Kevvie’ about it all and he thought the same,” Oates said.

“He wanted me to look after my body and said ‘I’m not going to force you to play. I know you can train and be prepared’. He told me to get everything right, get the body feeling good and we’ll go from there.

“It wasn’t because of Q-Cup. It’s the way the cycle is. I’ve been playing for a long time now and it’s got to change at some stage.

“When you get opportunities as a young kid you’ve got to take it. It’s just unfortunate timing for me at the moment. I’ve got to look after myself and when the time comes, hopefully I’m ready to play and do my job.

“That’s all it is. There’s nothing to it.

“I pushed it a bit too much recently and didn’t look after my knee. My body went through the ringer last year and I’ve got to be careful.

“I did a couple of weeks of rehab and looked after it and got my chance to be in the team. Hopefully I can keep getting these opportunities.”

Corey Oates says Broncos Kevin Walters backed his decision to not play reserves. Photo: Steve Pohlner

While Oates impressed throughout the pre-season following an injury-plagued 2023, in which he played nine NRL games without scoring a try, Walters couldn’t ignore the speed of young gun Deine Mariner when it came to picking his round 1 team.

Mariner has vindicated Walters’ decision with his form, but a mini injury-crisis opened the door for Oates to earn jersey No. 17 for the Cowboys derby.

Oates was prepared to play anywhere and found himself replacing left backrower Jaiyden Hunt, scoring his first try since round 23 of the 2022 season.

The try, and cheer he received as he entered the game, gave Oates a shot of confidence he needed following a challenging 12 months.

“Last year the (lack of) tries didn’t bother me too much. As long as I was doing my job for the team and getting us out of backfield, that’s what I had to do,” he said.

“My job’s a little different now. That’s what I pride myself on, no matter what position I’m playing I need to do my job and not let the boys down. I’m always happy if we come away with the win.

“The crowd was unbelievable, it gave me massive chills, I had to smile.

“It was a really good feeling. I tried to hold it in, but the roar when I ran out was incredible and I couldn’t help but smile. It gave me goosebumps.

“We’ve got the best fans. If it wasn’t for them, who knows where I’d be.”

Oates is hoping to retain his spot on the bench for Brisbane’s Thursday night clash with the Storm in Melbourne, but understands he’s a week-to-week proposition in a red-hot Broncos team.

Off-contract at 29, he feels he still has more to give in the NRL, but isn’t prepared to make a call on his future until later in the season.

Deine Mariner has been in hot form. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I’ve done it for a long time. I’m just going year-by-year,” he said.

“I’m definitely not finished. The body feels really good, but I don’t want to make a decision just on that.

“Football is still something I love and enjoy so much but I’ve got a young family and that’s my priority now.

“I don’t want to think about leaving, I’d rather just take each year as it comes now.

“Last year was a tough year for me. Two surgeries and three big injuries … it’s not easy to keep coming back. It took a lot of people to talk me into putting in the hard work again.

“I’m happy doing it year-by-year at the moment and at the end of the year I’ll decide what I want to do.

“I’ve been playing for a long time. When you start getting older, you get the young kids coming through and pushing for your position. 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.”