Brisbane Broncos to make sweeping changes, Corey Oates to move to forward pack

Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has officially hit the panic button on his side’s shocking form and is set to make a raft of changes for their Round 5 clash with Manly.

Corey Oates (R) is set to be switched to the forward pack. Picture: AAP

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Corey Oates has been warned of the physical challenge that awaits him in the second-row against Manly on Thursday after the winger became Brisbane’s “desperate measure” dice roll.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is expected to make up to seven changes to the squad that was thumped 59-0 by the Roosters last Thursday, with Oates to start in the back-row for the first time since 2014.

It is a shock move for the struggling Brisbane outfit, but with captain Alex Glenn (leg) and fellow backrowers David Fifita (knee) and Tevita Pangai Jr (suspension) still sidelined, Seibold has looked to the Queensland Origin winger to make the shift.

Other likely changes are:

■ Xavier Coates to take Oates’ place on the wing, with Herbie Farnworth to retain his spot at left wing.

■ Jesse Arthars dropped in favour of Kotoni Staggs, returning from a suspension.

■ Forwards Matt Lodge and Joe Ofahengaue to return to the starting side.

■ Jamil Hopoate, Ethan Bullemor and Tom Flegler to be benched, with one to be dropped.

■ Ben Te’o is not expected to play against Manly in Gosford after training with the reserves on Sunday.

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Corey Oates (R) is set to be switched to the forward pack. Picture: AAP

Oates has made no secret of his desire to one day return to the second-row, a role he played growing up.

However, it has been six years since he started in the forwards and, despite a short stint in the back-row last week, a number of league greats have questioned whether it is the right move for the under-pressure Brisbane outfit.

Former Broncos and Maroons hooker Kerrod Walters believed Oates’ selection was worth a try but spotlighted his fitness as one possible issue.

“His fitness is the big thing,” Walters said.

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Xavier Coates would take Oates’ spot on the wing. Picture: AAP

“He is going to have to do a lot more work playing in the middle. That will test him out but I can see why they did it because he has been wanting to play there.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Broncos started the season well. Now it is panic stations.”

One of the club’s greatest backrowers, Gorden Tallis, echoed Walters’ sentiments, saying that Oates would certainly be able to hold his own in attack, but it was still a massive challenge for the 25-year-old.

“The question mark is on his fitness,” Tallis said.

“The big challenge will be making his tackles. He’s going from making three to five tackles a game to 25 tackles a game.

“He’s big enough but there’s going to be a lot of hard work for him and it’s about whether he wants to put in the hard work.

“The Broncos should have done it four years ago … but (changing position) doesn’t happen overnight, especially after not doing it through a pre-season and then having COVID (lockdown).

“They have to try something. It’s worth a gamble but it will be interesting viewing.”

Former Queensland backrower Scott Sattler was more optimistic that the gamble may work, saying Oates may give the ailing pack the leader they desperately need.

“Corey has never been an on-field captain but I think the forwards will welcome someone who has a lot of notches on their belt,’’ Sattler said.

“I don’t see Oates making a statement through a Churchillian speech but maybe by his actions.

“Corey might be the one who just puts the ball under his arm and makes a statement through his effort.”

Broncos forward Matt Lodge noted: “It doesn’t take a genius to work out we’ve got four back-rowers out and we’re asking people who are debuting to play 80 minutes on the edge, which is ultimately one of the hardest positions on the field.”