Broncos winger Xavier Coates is reportedly waiting out to hear back from Storm coach Craig Bellamy before making a call on his playing future, despite Brisbane upgrading their contract offer.
The 20-year-old is currently on the radar of the Storm and Titans, with the two clubs understood to have tabled two and three-year deals respectively, according to NRL.com's Dan Walsh.
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Coates and Bellamy held discussions in the off-season, with talks surrounding the future plans for both parties.
“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," Coates told The Courier Mail last month.
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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."
Coates has continued to leave said options open, with NRL.com's report suggesting the Papua New Guinea-born winger is waiting out to know where Bellamy's future lies before making a call on his own path.
Bellamy has been tipped to take on a directing role at Melbourne from the 2022 season should he call-time on his illustrious career.
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A similar role at Red Hill has also been discussed, with the premiership coach potentially looking to work with Broncos gaffer Kevin Walters from next season.
Coates would shape as a formidable replacement to the departing Josh Addo-Carr, who will leave for Belmore at the end of the season after signing a four-year deal with the Bulldogs in December.
The pair of Origin flyers will meet on Good Friday as the Broncos travel to AAMI Park to take on the reigning premiers, with both clubs sitting 1-2 to start their 2021 campaigns.
Load of talent at the broncos and for the past 5 years they have tried to pay good money to keep everyone and what do they have to show for it?
They really need to decide who they want to pay very well to keep and build around, not every club can keep every player.
They have an absolute bargain in Haas locked up for 4 years at 500k, Pangai Jr 2 years on 600k is pretty good too. Riki is locked up for 4 years, and Carrigan has been locked up for another 2. Aside from these 4 and resigning Kotoni Staggs they should be the major building blocks of the club.
Deardon needs to force his way into the side and earn that respect to get this treatment and Coates although he’s great it’s hard to pay overs for a winger when you already are paying so many people.
I’d let Milford walk and get Shaun Johnson, and try pinch Edrick Lee. I’d even throw Brandon Smith a deal and offer the storm a player (Oates). Then look to clear some cap space, bye bye to Teo, Fleger, Arthurs, Croft, Asiata and Kennedy. In comes Dylan Napa and Josh McQuire on a cheap deals, Lachlan Timm, Josh Curran and Billy Walters. Then look into the future and try your luck going for Joey Manu for fullback.
1. Manu
2. Lee
3. Staggs
4. Farnworth/Niu
5. Issako
6. Deardon
7. Johnson
8. Haas
9. Smith
10. Lodge
11. Riki
12. Glenn
13. Carrigan
14. Turpin
15. Napa
16. McQuire
17. Pangai Jr
B: Mead, Copley, Niu
H: Walters Paix
F: Afoa, Bullemore, Timm, Pulu
You’d have two solid kicking games from the halves. A good forward pack full of strong hard workers and a bench of impact and size. Having two tall wingers on either side for under the high ball and starting sets well. Lots of experience to lean on and youth with something to prove. Plus some nice depth in case of injuries.