I don’t know if I’ll be here next year: Oates

Brisbane Broncos winger Corey Oates' future is clouded after he has refused to re-commit to the club.

The 23-year old is out of contract at the end of the season and his game-winning heroics against the Sharks on Saturday night proved his value.

The Broncos would like to keep Oates but he is currently seeking new management which complicates their ability to negotiate a new deal.

Oates' preference is to remain with the Broncos, but is open to the prospect of signing with a rival club.

“I really don’t know if I’ll be here next year,” Oates told the Courier Mail.

“It’s tough. At the end of the day, my preference is to stay at the Broncos, but I really won’t know until August when I can start talking to clubs and negotiating deals.

“It’s been going on long enough now, I will let my footy do its talking.

“I can’t really talk to clubs until my contract ends with my management. At the end of the day, I realise that and I’m trying to forget about it and move on.

“I’m just waiting for that deadline to pass and then I will start talking to clubs and negotiating my own deal.

“I would prefer to stay, but I’m always open to leaving because that’s part of the game now.”

Additionally, Oates would like to be a permanent back rower, but coach Wayne Bennett's inclination to play him on the wing coupled with the team's back row depth could entice the 23-year old to play elsewhere in 2019.

“I still want to play back row,” he said.

“I did a good job there in the off-season and I think I can handle that position doing those tough yards.

“Playing there (back row) is still on the cards for me.”