Crowd go wild for Oates in his try-scoring forward cameo

Although he was made to wait to get into the action, Broncos fan favourite Corey Oates made sure to make his short time the field count, scoring his first try since 2022.

Named on the bench to make his first NRL appearance since Round 27 last year, when the 202-game veteran finally made his way onto the field against the Cowboys in the 67th minute, the Brisbane crowd greeted him with loud applause and there were also standing ovations.

“The crowd was unbelievable, I’m sure everyone heard it, but that was a really nice feeling,” Oates said.

“(It) was crazy, it gave me massive chills and I don’t know if they got it on camera, but I couldn’t help it – I had this smile and it made me very happy.

“The crowd and the fans are the big reason why I’ve always stayed and I love the club so much.

“Over the years the fans, the crowd, the members and everyone – they grow on you, so to get the support first game back was unbelievable.” 

Kept out of the side so far this year by youngster Deine Mariner, who coach Kevin Walters has favoured for his superior speed out wide, Oates has also been battling a knee niggle which he said had been giving him “a bit of grief”.

But with that now addressed, it allowed Walters to call on the 200-plus game veteran to step into a utility role off the bench, with a spot in the 17 becoming open after Brendan Piakura was ruled out with a sprained ankle earlier in the week.

Oates slotted into the Brisbane backrow and promptly scored a try - the 119th of his career and his first since Round 23, 2022 - with crossing the line something he was unable to do in his nine appearances on the wing last year.

“(Someone) said that to me just before, but it made me laugh, it’s the way it goes,” Oates said.

“Last year, the tries didn’t bother me too much - as long as I was doing my job and getting us out of the backfield, that’s what I’ve got to do.

“My job is a little different at the moment, and that’s what I pride myself on.

“No matter what position I’m playing as long as I can do my job, don’t let the boys down and play my part, I’m always happy if we come away with a win. 

“(Broncos coach Kevin Walters) … said I knew what I was there for; in case there was an injury in the backs and then trying to fit in wherever I could and try and do something.

“There wasn’t a real set plan (for my role), but it’s always hard when you lose a player during the week and I thought Jaiyden [Hunt] did a pretty good job.

“It was just nice to get on.”

After beating their original derby rivals Cowboys, the Broncos are now 2-2 and next round will travel to Melbourne to take on the Storm who they beat convincingly in the finals last year.