Origin winger Xavier Coates has revealed his desires to become a Broncos player for life, with the pacey winger receiving plenty of interest from rival clubs ahead of his third season in the NRL.

Across his 15 games at Red Hill, Coates has shown plenty of poise and promise out wide while also earning an Origin debut in 2020 with the Maroons.

The 19-year-old has recently received interest from Queensland rivals North Queensland and Gold Coast while Melbourne Storm have kept a close eye on the flyer, so much so that Craig Bellamy has held talks with the Papua New Guinea-born neophyte.

Coates spoke on his dream to end his career with Brisbane while also playing a straight bat in regard to his discussions with Bellamy.

“In an ideal world, I want to be a Bronco for life,” Coates told The Courier Mail.

“It’s nice to know a club as great as Melbourne have interest in me, but to be honest, my No.1 priority is the Broncos.

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“I was talking to Craig about what he was thinking and everything came out in the media. Someone took a photo of us and it all blew up, which I didn’t expect. It wasn’t anything major. I wanted to see what his plans were because, yes, I’m off-contract.

“You have to keep your options open, but my preference is to stay at the Broncos.

“If I’m being honest, I just want to be around my family. My main thought is I don’t want to leave this club. I’m happy at the Broncos and ’Kevvie’ (Kevin Walters) has been really welcoming.

“I want to help turn this club around and whatever happens next year is down the track. My immediate focus is playing good football. But I‘m 100 per cent dedicated to the Broncos, so if I’m happy here, I will stay.”

Coates' first full season with the Broncos ended with the club claiming its maiden wooden spoon following a 3-17 record.

While it was a year to forget for the club, Coates was a shining light at Red Hill, scoring five tries from his 12 outings.

“Last year was so difficult,” Coates added.

“We started off well in the first two games and then we came back from COVID and fell apart.

“There were issues with the coaching staff and the club just felt like it was collapsing in front of us."

Kevin Walters has looked to have an instant impact on the young Broncos side, with Coates and Kotoni Staggs just two of the rising stars the master coach is hoping lock down for the future.

Brisbane Broncos Training Session
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Assistant Coach Kevin Walters gives directions during the Brisbane Broncos NRL training session on March 15, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

While contract talks remain tabled, Coates has revealed there have been clear signs of improvement under Walters.

“We have come back fresh and started with new staff. There has been a cleanout among the players, even with our attitudes.

“It feels like a new club, there is a family feel and Kevvie is a family-orientated bloke. He is getting the camaraderie going again and bringing back past players to have chats with us.

“There is a huge history of the club and Kevvie is teaching us when we put on that Broncos jersey, you represent the past, the present and all the people of Queensland.”

The Broncos will kick-off their 2021 NRL campaign against Parramatta on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.

1 COMMENT

  1. Regardless of the money offered by other clubs. Brisbane will keep the players that they wish to keep. Coates & Staggs won’t be going anywhere.

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