Lockyer's message to out of favour Broncos veteran
Darren Lockyer has urged Corey Oates to think about his role as a utility player becoming permanent, with the Broncos veteran facing an uncertain future at the club.
The former State of Origin winger hasn’t featured this year in the NRL, with young gun Deine Mariner claiming a vacant wing position during pre-season and impressing in his early appearances for Brisbane.
Oates will make his return on Friday night however, with the 29-year-old selected on the bench for the side’s round four clash with the Cowboys.
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ QLDER, the club director admitted Oates is unlikely to play regular first grade in the outside backs moving forward at Red Hill and should be weighing up a move closer to the middle of the field.
“It’s an opportunity for him,” Lockyer said.
“I also think maybe it is in his own thought process that maybe he has to adapt to being a versatile player … he’s not getting any younger.
“Maybe he needs to be able to cover the back-row … there’s value in that.”
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