‘I’d be gutted’: Broncos star implores club legend to stay on

He may be “a bit annoying”, marching into Broncos HQ and yelling at 6am as his teammates psych up for another gruelling training session.

But Brisbane star Jordan Riki has confessed he would be “gutted” if veteran winger Corey Oates was forced out of Red Hill, imploring him to extend his stay as the club strives to balance a challenging salary-cap juggling act. 

Oates has been locked in to make his return from a knee injury on Saturday – his third serious setback of the season – against Canberra, where he will make his 200th NRL appearance.

Despite being the Broncos’ fifth leading try scorer of all time, the emergence of rookie Deine Mariner, the strong form of Jesse Arthars, and imminent lucrative contract extensions for the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam – along with Payne Haas’ recent upgrade – could leave Oates as the odd man out.

Oates’ contract originally had player options in his favour to remain in the Broncos’ colours, however the 28-year-old has reportedly been offered a downgraded pay packet to stay, leaving his future in limbo.

“I’d be gutted [if Oates left], but I guess that’s rugby league – it’s part of the game sometimes,” Riki said.

“He was a good mentor for me coming through. It’s pretty hard to say at the moment, but I’d love to have him around as long as possible.

“He was one of those people who took me under his wing when I first came in. He debuted at a younger age as well, so he can definitely relate to a lot of us younger boys coming through.

“He’s obviously had his ups and downs throughout his career, so he’s definitely been someone I’ve leant on, and he’s definitely helped me out as a mentor away from footy as well, on how to cope with things.”

Riki himself forms part of the forthcoming scramble by Broncos management to secure what has proved to be a squad capable of contesting the NRL premiership.

The Kiwi sensation, along with fellow edge forwards Kurt Capewell and Brendan Piakura, are off contract in 2024 and free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.

But as the Broncos seek to solidify their forward pack and ensure Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans) are the only casualties amid their 2023 resurgence, Riki insisted he had not yet launched extension talks.

“Honestly, for me at the moment, all I’ve been focusing on is just trying to play good footy, and enjoy my life outside footy as well,” Riki said.

“The main thing and focus for me is to get into this finals series and really play well as a team and see how far we can go.

“We’re all such a tight group, and I think we all just want the best for each other. We’ve all got one goal at the moment, and that’s to take it out [the premiership] this year.

“I don’t think there’s any fear of competition throughout the whole team; I think we’ve all got one big picture and that’s to win the grand final.”