Fit again Oates driven by pain of 2022 Broncos fadeout

Brisbane winger Corey Oates is driven by pain to finish his interrupted NRL season on a high.

That’s pain of the physical and mental variety.

The 28-year-old returned to the Broncos side in Saturday night’s 20-12 win over Cronulla after missing 10 of the previous 11 weeks with a broken jaw and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury.

Brisbane share the NRL lead on 20 points with Penrith and Oates said the agony of last season’s fadeout, where they lost five of their final six matches to slip from fourth to ninth, was motivation to keep them firing.

“It has been a great start to the year,” Oates said ahead of Saturday night’s home clash with Newcastle.

“I know a lot of people didn’t expect us to be (in the joint-lead) but I know I did from the pre-season.

“The way last year ended, you learn a lot from that. I feel like a lot of boys’ focus was how we ended … how bad it felt and how much of a let down it was for everyone involved. I think that has been a big driver for us.

“We want to show that we are a side in the NRL that is going to be competitive for the whole year. We have just got to keep thinking we can improve, and we all know we can.”

Oates was in career-best shape before the season kicked off. Both injuries were pure bad luck.

“It is the biggest stint out I’ve had with injury,” he said.

“When you get little niggles you can play the rest of the year, work around it and deal with the pain but the two (injuries) I copped this year you can’t unfortunately play with them.

“I stayed focused and positive. I took the time to tweak a few things and get a bit stronger and fitter.

“There are still plenty of games left and so much we can do as a team. For me personally I am just hoping to go two games in a row, get to the bye and then look to the rest of the year.”

Oates is signed for this year and has an option to stay at the Broncos in 2024, which he will deal with when he plays more games.

“I just need to show performances now … be confident in what I do for the team and do my job well every week,” he said.

Oates played for Queensland in the State of Origin series decider last year and if fit would have been in the frame to be selected for this year’s series opener in Adelaide. He said “it hurt” to miss out on one level and added that he was still determined to play for the Maroons again in the future, while conceding that was unlikely this series if Queensland kept winning.

“I will always want to put that jersey on but my main focus is here (at the Broncos),” he said.