NRL transfer news: Brisbane Broncos to give Corey Oates a contract extension

A Broncos mainstay looks to have earned himself a new contract, just eight weeks out from becoming a free agent. Read the latest transfer market news here.

The Broncos will offer Corey Oates (L) a three-year contract extension.

Corey Oates will be rewarded for the best season of his career with the veteran Broncos winger to be handed a $1.2 million contract extension.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos are in the final stages of securing Oates to a new deal in the lead-up to Brisbane’s final-round clash against the Dragons on Saturday at Kogarah.

Oates remains off-contract at season’s end and is just eight weeks away from becoming a free agent, fuelling concerns the 27-year-old may be squeezed out by the Broncos due to salary-cap pressures.

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Corey Oates will be rewarded with a new Broncos deal. Picture: NRL Images

But Brisbane coach Kevin Walters insists Oates will be in Broncos colours next season after a superb campaign in which he has scored 20 tries from 21 matches – the best haul of his 10-year NRL career.

Brisbane originally discussed a two-year deal, but such is Oates’ brilliant form this season, he will be given a three-year extension to keep him at Red Hill until the end of 2025.

“Corey has been outstanding for us this year,” Walters said on the eve of the Dragons clash in Sydney.

“I don’t think it will be his last game this year or for the Broncos in general.

“We are confident we can come to an agreement with Oatesy.

“He has had his best season for a long time. We appreciate what he is doing for us and he is another one who we need at his best against the Dragons.”

Oates is currently on $500,000 at Brisbane and it is understood he faces a pay cut to continue his career at the Broncos.

His revised deal will be worth around $400,000 annually, but Brisbane’s decision to table a three-year offer gives the Queensland Origin winger job security as he approaches his 30s.

Fan-favourite Oates has carved out a brilliant career at Brisbane. The lanky winger is the greatest tryscorer at Suncorp Stadium and he is ranked fourth on the Broncos’ all-time tryscoring list with 118 four-pointers from 191 games.

The veteran of nine Origin games has roared back to form this season with his bruising kick returns and finishing prowess, but just 12 months ago, Oates admits he feared for his career.

“I thought I was nearly done, not just with the Broncos but footy in general,” said Oates, reflecting on his demotion to reserve grade last year.

“That’s how I was feeling and it’s not a good feeling to have.

“A lot of hard work went into getting back.

“I wasn’t doing the extras and work I should have been doing.

“I just wanted to get back to enjoying footy again and it was good to get the reward of that Queensland jumper this season.

“I’ve always said I wanted to stay at the Broncos.

“This is my 10th year at the Broncos but I feel really good about myself and the body,

“I need to keep looking after myself and hopefully I can last a lot longer.

“I am enjoying my footy again.”

Oates said the Broncos are desperate to hit back after a horror past fortnight in a bid to keep their slim finals hopes alive by beating the Dragons.

“We need to believe in each other that we can still do it,” he said.

“It’s a long season and a brutal game, but the best teams are the ones who lift at the end of the year and at the moment we are struggling in that area.

“We have worked so hard all year, we can still make the finals.”

DOLPHINS SNUBBED AGAIN AS STAR SIGNS $3M MEGA DEAL

Classy Cowboys playmaker Scott Drinkwater has knocked back a poaching raid from the Dolphins and inked a $3 million extension in a major retention coup for North Queensland.

News Corp can reveal Drinkwater has agreed to a lucrative five-year deal in a huge boost for the Cowboys before Saturday’s final-round blockbuster against defending premiers Penrith in Townsville.

Drinkwater’s dazzling form this season had piqued the interest of several NRL rivals headlined by the Dolphins, who had made a number of overtures in a bid to lure the silky fullback or five-eighth to Redcliffe for next year or 2024.

But the Cowboys have prevailed in the battle for his signature.

Scott Drinkwater has signed as five-year deal at the Cowboys. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Already contracted until the end of 2023, Drinkwater has agreed to an extra four years as part of a five-year upgrade, keeping him at the Cowboys until the end of 2027.

It is understood the deal is worth at least $650,000 a season, with the former Storm rookie emerging as a key member of the North Queensland spine that has engineered the Cowboys’ stunning surge into the top four this year.

The Cowboys retained boom back-rower Jeremiah Nanai earlier this season and football boss Micheal Luck said Drinkwater’s decision to stay loyal was another show of faith in North Queensland’s premiership ambitions.

“Scott has proved himself to be one of the better playmakers in this game,” Luck said.

“We are thrilled with the extension. He has agreed to play out most of his career with the Cowboys which is a great sign of where the club is heading.

Scott Drinkwater has had a superb season at fullback for the Cowboys. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“We have been so impressed with how Scott responded in pre-season. The coaching staff challenged him to improve some parts of his game and he worked hard to get back into the team.

“Several clubs were keen on Scott, but Todd Payten is a great coach for ‘Drinky’ and Townsville is a good environment for him.

“I knew if we could put forward a semi-competitive offer, it would be hard for him to leave.

“He has a great relationship with our other playmakers Tom Dearden, Chad Townsend and Reece Robson and we see him evolving into a leader in the next phase of his career.”

The Dolphins made inquiries to sign Drinkwater as their foundation fullback for next season, but the Cowboys ruled out an early release.

After losing out to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the fullback spot in the opening month, Drinkwater fought his way back and the 25-year-old has been sensational with his attacking thrusts in the No.1 jumper.

Drinkwater’s manager Chris Orr of PSM said the veteran of 70 NRL matches is relishing working with halfback recruit Townsend.

“Scott has developed a tremendous connection with his fellow players, especially in the spine,” Orr said.

“Off the field he is part of the PLAYRS golf business with his Cowboys teammates Chad Townsend and Valentine Holmes (www.playrs.com.au).

“’Drinky’ brings the X-factor the Cowboys need.”

Originally published as NRL transfer news: Brisbane Broncos to give Corey Oates a contract extension