Off-contract winger Corey Oates has defiantly declared Sunday’s humiliating 58-0 thrashing at the hands of the Parramatta Eels won’t be his last game in a Brisbane Broncos jersey.
It was the Broncos’ heaviest defeat in club history as the Eels racked up the highest points total in NRL finals game.
Following their ignominious exit from the 2019 premiership race a furious Anthony Seibold threatened roster changes, declaring ‘everything’s on the table’ and conceding ‘we’re a million miles off the top teams’.
Veteran Darius Boyd’s future was a major talking point after Brisbane’s capitulation.
MORE: The Weekend Hangover: Seibold not apologising after Broncos' finals exit | Seibold 'embarrassed' after Brisbane's record-breaking loss |
But unlike the skipper, who is contracted until the end of 2021, Oates is yet to sign a new deal for 2020 and beyond.
The 24-year-old Queensland Maroons winger has verbally committed to a three-year deal to remain at Red Hill but is yet to put pen to paper as the Broncos work through salary cap issues.
Asked if Sunday’s loss may have been his last in a Broncos jumper, Oates told Channel Nine: “Nah mate, I hope not. I want to be here for my whole career and I love this club so much.
“I’m hurting a lot now but yeah I don’t want to ever leave this club.
“I hope this is definitely not my last game (for the Broncos), I want there to be plenty more.”
News Limited journalist Peter Badel last week told Sporting News Australia: "I can tell you that Corey Oates will certainly be staying at the Broncos.
"While there isn't a deal done at this stage, he has told the club verbally that he has no interest in going anywhere else.
“He will sign a three-year deal sometime in the next month, but the Broncos are having a few salary cap issues and they can't formalise a deal until they are cap compliant."
