3 minute read

Brisbane veteran Corey Oates, who returns to the wing against the Dolphins, is inspired by the pain of never having won a premiership and time is running out.

Off-contract Brisbane winger Corey Oates faces an uncertain future but he is certain of the one thing he wants to do for the club before the curtain comes down on his stellar NRL career.

"I probably owe the club a premiership to be honest, that's about it," Oates said.

Oates was left sprawled on the turf at the end of normal time in the 2015 grand final as North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt scored in the corner to level the scores. In golden point, Johnathan Thurston put a dagger in Brisbane hearts to secure a 17-16 win.

The 29-year-old has played 203 games for the Broncos and is the only survivor of the 2015 decider still playing at the club.

He was left out of the team for last year's grand final loss so he has not been back to a season finale since 2015.

Oates will replace starting winger Deine Mariner (fractured back) in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium with the Dolphins after playing the previous two games off the bench. It's early days in the season but winning a title is already on his mind.

"It's what you do. It's why you play the game. Yes you love it, but the end goal is the premiership,' Oates said.

"When you've been doing it for as long as I have, the last thing you want to do is finish without one.

"It's not easy to get to, that's the hardest part - actually getting there. You don't go through all the pre-season training and all that hard work to not actually win one.

"That's why you put in every week - all the pain, all the suffering and all the hurt you go through is for the premiership. That's all I've wanted my whole career, especially at this club."

Oates has been signing one-year extensions more often than not in recent seasons and is used to the pressure that places upon him to perform.

"I'm always hoping there's something there for me at the end of the year, but I've been doing it for a little bit now. I'll just do it year-by-year," he said.

"I don't like making (contract) decisions early on now.

"I didn't like it when I first did it, but I actually ended up playing my best footy when I did.

"It keeps you honest. It makes you realise it's a professional job ... a full-time job and it's not something you just go out and do for one year and then get a big contract and chill out.

"The one-year (deals) to be honest I think are probably the best thing for me. They've kept me going all this time."

Oates has scored 119 tries for the Broncos and sits fourth on the all-time list. With Mariner out for up to five weeks he has a chance to reclaim his favourite position.

"It's very unfortunate for Deine and hopefully he can heal up well and quick, but for me it's just about going out and doing my job," Oates said.

"I don't need to think I need to do any more. I feel what I can bring to a team is beneficial, so as long as I do that I'm pretty happy."