If Oates leaves Brisbane there will be no shortage of takers

The Brisbane Broncos look as though they are facing a fight to retain off-contract star Corey Oates after the Queensland Origin rep again reiterated his desire to play in the back row.

Oates was quoted during the week as saying "I feel playing back-row brings more out of me than the wing" when speaking to Fox Sports.

This comes on the back of pleas to be more involved in the action in the pre-season and a short stint in the back row. Unfortunately for Oates his pre-season form combined with his incredible performances on the wing have lead to his return to the flank.

With the Broncos being home to a list of up and coming, freakishly talented back rowers, Oates' path to an 11 or 12 jersey looks blocked.

At 23 years of age, Oates is approaching the peak of his footballing powers. At 192cms and well over 100kgs, there is no doubt he could make a full time switch into the back row.

His next contract could feasibly be the most important of his career and could set him up for life.

Despite being a match-winning winger, Oates could realistically attract a far bigger offer if he were to be touching the ball more. He would achieve that running off a halfback or five-eight rather than being on the end of back-line movements.

The Broncos look a little hesitant to move Oates. With very public pleas to move, you'd think the Broncos would be taking no chances with the five, soon to be six-time Origin representative.

Given the names Joe Ofahengaue, Jaydn Su’A, Tevita Pangai Junior, Payne Haas and David Fifita are all on the Broncos' books, you can certainly understand Bennett's hesitancy to move a proven rep-level outside back into the forwards at one of their expense.

That said, if Oates was to decide to leave the Broncos in search of a regular back-row position, there would surely be no shortage of clubs lining up for his services.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a side looking for a back rower having not yet replaced Roosters-bound Angus Crichton. Although Cam Murray looks likely to step into the starting line up in his place (with Burgess shifting out wider) Oates would be a lead candidate for a bench position.

Given his obvious playing abilities and size, Oates would only need a few games to adapt to his new role and push for a starting position.

A big off-season of training to ready his body would not be beyond him, and to be honest I'd probably have no reservations naming him in the forwards right now.

Although given their current salary cap problems it may be beyond risky, the Dogs could offer Oates a back-ended contract to try and add him to their backs. It may be a tough sell but the offer to Oates could be a moderate contract then a year-on-year rise as his experience in the second row grows makes sense.

The Sharks look as though they may be saying goodbye to club legends Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis. Despite their back row stocks being plentiful you'd have to think Oates would jag a bench spot at first. Scott Sorenson, Kurt Capewell, Jack Williams, Wade Graham, Jayson Bukuya and Oates rounds out a pretty handy back row.

The Eels have just lost Beau Scott to retirement and look in desperate need of some spark. A player of Oates' size and strength could provide something they don't current have.

Add to that the Tigers who, with all due respect, don't have the most fearsome back row in the competition, and that's five teams who could make a play with Oates just in Sydney, with little to no thought.

A huge bonus of signing Oates is his obvious abilities to play out wide. There's no doubt he could become a strike centre in a short space of time either, which opens up plenty of opportunities for any potential suitor.

There's no doubt that Brisbane will try to keep Oates in the club but given their back row stocks and the player's desire to move into the thick of the action, I'm not sure how that happens.

My prediction is that Oates will be playing in the back row next year if he really wants to.

Where that will be? Who knows. The only thing that is for sure is that there will plenty of options should the Origin rep choose to explore his options.