In a Baralaba backyard, a young Corey Oates once narrated his own imaginary tries at Suncorp Stadium. Today, he closes the chapter on a dream turned reality, announcing his retirement from the Brisbane Broncos after a decorated 12-year career that saw him cross the try line 121 times in the maroon jersey.
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The country kid who conquered Brisbane
From the fields of Central Queensland to Brisbane’s rugby league heartland, Oates’ journey reads like a rugby league fairy tale. The Baralaba Panthers junior rose from a bush footy hopeful to a cornerstone of one of the NRL’s most storied clubs, amassing 216 first-grade games along the way.
While the statistics tell an amazing story—121 tries as the Broncos’ third-highest try scorer of all time, nine State of Origin appearances, and three series victories for Queensland—they still don’t capture the heart-stopping moments that defined his career.
From his unforgettable maiden try in the 2015 grand final, which had Brisbane dreaming of glory…
…to his remarkable four-try showcase against Manly in 2018 that brought Suncorp Stadium to its feet…
…and to his resurgent 2022 season, where he crossed the line 20 times in 22 games, Oates turned wing play into an art form.
“Playing Origin for Queensland and playing for the Broncos—I still have to pinch myself that it all happened for real,” Oates says.
Corey Oates dances with adversity
Every hero’s journey has its battles, and Oates has fought his share. He overcame a career-threatening staph infection in 2017, bounced back from a broken jaw in 2023, and weathered the storms of form and fitness that tested him in his final seasons. Yet, like the country boy who first dreamed of wearing Broncos colours, he never lost his fighting spirit.
At 29, with young kids at home and a body that’s weathered 12 seasons of professional rugby league, Oates makes his exit on his own terms.
“When you have kids and family, and when you get to that point in your career, you evaluate what’s important – and I want to be part of my kid’s life and do as much as I can with them,” he reflects.
“I never wanted to be the person who went one season too many.”
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As the last remnant of the 2015 grand final team departs, Oates leaves behind more than just tries and tackles. He carries with him the distinction of being a one-club man in an era where loyalty often takes a backseat to opportunity. The doors of the Broncos won’t close entirely on Oates, with discussions of an ambassador role suggesting his story with the club isn’t quite finished.
As the sun sets on one chapter, the legacy of Corey Oates—try-scoring phenomenon, Origin warrior, and Broncos faithful—will continue to inspire the next generation of backyard dreamers.
Published 10-October-2024
