Broncos flyer Corey Oates says he wants to stay in Brisbane

COREY Oates has given his strongest indication yet that he will stay with the Broncos, as the club begin negotiations to retain their star winger.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 16: Corey Oates of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try during the round 23 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on August 16, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

COREY Oates has given his strongest indication yet that he will stay with the Broncos, as the club begin negotiations to retain their star winger.

The Queensland flyer proved yet again on Thursday night why he is one of the best wingers in the competition after he scored a hat-trick to help deliver Brisbane a crucial 38-18 victory over South Sydney.

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The starring performance also came at an important time for Oates, who can finally begin his negotiations for season 2019 and beyond following the end of his current management contract.

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Oates’ decisions around his future have been delayed while he waited to sever ties with his manager.

He is now free to look at his options, but in a major boost for the Broncos, the in-demand Oates confirmed he wants to stay in Brisbane.

“I want to be here next year,” he said.

“Obviously I want to be here but it’s up to (the Broncos). I want to finish the year off strong … then I can go into contract negotiations happy and confident with whatever decision I make.

Oates is fresh off one of his best performances of the season. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“It’s always important (to stay with your club). You never want to leave. But if the club doesn’t want you, you have to look elsewhere.”

Coach Wayne Bennett has previously stated the Broncos definitely want Oates to stay at Red Hill, but has admitted they are not in a position to enter into a bidding war.

Oates said however that he has not seen any formal offers from other clubs, despite reports last month he rejected a deal with the Bulldogs.

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With Brisbane still fighting to cement their place in the top eight, Oates said his biggest focus for the next month was to help his team become a premiership force and he hopes the offers will follow after that.

“I just want to finish the year well,” he said.

“We have a big couple of weeks coming. (Thursday’s win) was a good step to finals and I want to keep playing good football and give them something to talk about.

“The only way I can get a contract is play good footy.

“I haven’t really seen a formal offer. I’ve had that management stuff so I’ve just been trying to concentrate on football and wait for an offer or someone to come look at me.”

Originally published as Broncos flyer Corey Oates says he wants to stay in Brisbane