It’s somewhat unusual these days for a representative star to finish his contract without his next one lined up, but that’s exactly what Corey Oates has done.
With the Broncos eliminated, Oates now must turn his attention to where he’ll play in 2019, and it’s looking decreasing likely that it’ll be in Brisbane.
According to the Courier-Mail, Oates has confirmed that he’s received interest from the Dragons and Titans, while adding that he “wouldn’t want to re-sign with the Broncs of Wayne’s not there”.
With coach Wayne Bennett no certainty to return next year, that naturally brings Oates’ future at the club into question.
If there’s a positive for the Broncos, it’s that Bennett’s future may not be clarified for some time, but Oates will surely want to sign a contract sooner rather than later. If he stays on the assumption that Bennett will remain, then what Bennett ultimately does is probably irrelevant.
Oates has played 120 first grade games for the Broncos, and 5 Origins for Queensland.