Broncos winger Corey Oates announces NRL retirement

Broncos stalwart Corey Oates has called time on his NRL career, bowing out as a one-club player for the Brisbane side.

After debuting in round 17 of 2013 against the Melbourne Storm, the winger amassed 216 games for the club in his 11-year career.

The 29-year-old joins an illustrious list of one-club players for the Broncos that includes former teammates Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Alex Glenn, as well as Allan Langer and former coach Kevin Walters.

Oates scored 121 tries in the NRL — the third-most in Brisbane’s history — and sits 10th on the all-time pointscoring list for the club.

He played and lost in two losing NRL Grand Final sides, against the North Queensland Cowboys in 2015 and the Penrith Panthers in 2023.

Oates also featured in nine games for Queensland in State of Origin, scoring three tries, and played a key role off the bench to help clinch the 2022 series in what would be his final appearance for the Maroons.

“When you have kids and family, and when you get to that point in your career, you evaluate what’s important — and I want to be part of my kids life and do as much as I can with them,” he said on Thursday.

“The last 18 months haven’t been kind with my body and my injuries, but it’s my family that are my main priority now and that’s why I’ve made the decision to retire.”

The final years of Oates’ career were plagued with injuries and speculation he would depart Brisbane in pursuit of opportunities elsewhere.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has confirmed Oates will continue to work with the team in another role, and that he “won’t be lost on the club”.

Online bookmakers have Brisbane pegged at $8 in early betting for the 2025 NRL Premiership, behind only the Storm ($3.75) and Panthers ($4.50).

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