Kevin Walters appears ready to drop a selection shocker in his first finals campaign with the Brisbane Broncos.
In his third season with the NRL giants, Walters has guided the Broncos back into the finals for the first time since they scraped into eighth place back in 2019.
Judging by the club’s training session at Red Hill on Sunday, Brisbane stalwart Corey Oates will be watching from the sidelines for the Suncorp Stadium showdown with the Melbourne Storm, according to The Courier Mail.
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Jesse Arthars, who signed a three-year extension this season and has been one of the club’s best all year, trained on the left wing with the main squad.
Oates, who has held down the top left-wing spot in Brisbane for a decade, was seen training with the second-string squad.
Oates has struggled with injury across the 2023 campaign, restricting him to nine appearances this season, taking him to 201 for his career.
He played in Brisbane’s last two matches, a win over Canberra before the round 27 loss to the Storm.
Arthars has been a mainstay in Walters’ side, predominantly on the wing, with a couple of selections on the bench.
The 25-year-old Kiwi played in the centres against the Storm on Thursday night.
Just last month, the 28-year-old Oates was linked with a move to the Knights over reports he felt disrespected over his salary.
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Oates is reportedly earning around $450,000 and has options in his favour for 2024 and 2025, but is considering heading elsewhere for a higher payday.
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“Corey Oates, I wouldn’t say he’s in dispute with the club over his future, he’s got an option up there which is at a certain amount,” journalist Brent Read said on Triple M.
“Corey and his management perhaps think he’s worth more than that.
“There’s a bit of talk about Corey Oates in Newcastle, obviously they’ll lose Dom Young at the end of the year who is going to the Sydney Roosters.
“It would be a big decision for Corey Oates to leave Brisbane, he’s been part of that club for so long and I’m sure his preference is to stay.
“But if you’re feeling a bit disrespected and feel you’re worth more than what the club is offering … he’s played for his state.”
In other team news for the Broncos ahead of the qualifying final with the Storm, Adam Reynolds (calf) and Pat Carrigan (foot) had brief stints at training and appear ready for returns.
The Broncos need all the help they can get, riding a 14-match losing streak against the Victorian outfit.
Cameron Munster, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Xavier Coates and Nick Meaney should all return for the Storm.
