Corey Oates reveals he didn’t know about Kevin Walters’ dismissal until it was on the news

Broncos’ 216-gamer Corey Oates says he was shocked at the decision to part ways with coach Kevin Walters, less than 12 months he guided Brisbane to the grand final.

Corey Oates says he did not know about the bombshell decision by the club to dismiss Kevin Walters. Picture: Liam Kidston

One of the Brisbane Broncos longest servants has revealed the playing group had been unaware of the club’s decision to part ways with coach Kevin Walters.

216-gamer Corey Oates, speaking on KIIS 97.3 this morning, declared he had not known about the bombshell decision until it was on the news.

“From what I know, no one really knew. These decisions, I guess, aren’t made by the players, all this stuff is made above us by the people higher up in the board,” Oates said.

Despite reports of a comprehensive review into the club in which players and staff were interviewed, Oates said the boys had “never sat down and had a meeting.”

The Brisbane Broncos have made the controversial decision to part ways with Kevin Walters. Picture: Liam Kidston

“There’s nothing that has been said in our group chat with players having meetings. But look, I don’t think it’s ever made by the players, to be honest.

“It’s always made from the above, from the people that run the club and control the club, us as players, we have to go out there and just do our job each week and train and play, and that’s what we have to do and that’s what we all stick to.”

Oates said he was “shocked” by the news but said he had not looked in the group chat since the story broke.

“I don’t really want to look,” he said.

“I was really shocked, because you got to sort of feel for Kevvie and his family and sort of what he’s probably had to go through in the last 12 hours, it’d honestly be really hard.”

One of the Broncos longest serving players, Corey Oates.

He went on to say he thought the sacking was a “harsh call” and was surprised Walters was not given the opportunity to continue with the club next year.

“I honestly thought that they probably would have given him next year, that’s my honest opinion, I really did, so, I believe it probably is a harsh part call.”

In response to questions on whether Walters departure would change Oates future after not being offered a contract for the 2025 season, he said “nothing changes”.

“Going into these holidays I’m probably going to keep it the same, I’m just really enjoying the holidays before I make any decisions,” he said.

Originally published as Corey Oates reveals he didn’t know about Kevin Walters’ dismissal until it was on the news