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Message: [QUOTE="GCBRONCO, post: 2555446, member: 1808"] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular][url=http://www.broncos.com.au/news-display/Oates-Heating-Up-For-Second-Season/89280]Oates Heating Up For Second Season - Brisbane Broncos[/url] Corey Oates thought he was hallucinating and he was back in the Central Queensland town of Baralaba working on the farm in oppressive conditions.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]But no, this was Brisbane and the tough task that is NRL pre-season training.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]The boom young rookie is in his second year training with the big boys and was put to the ultimate test when Brisbane went through a recent heatwave that tipped the mercury over 40 degrees.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]Just like working on the farm back in the town he grew up in, some 150 kilometres south west of Rockhampton.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"There has been a bit of heat out there and it has taken a toll," said Oates, whose outstanding performance in the last nine games of 2013 earned him the club's Rookie of the Year award.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"It's been a bit of a struggle.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"It does get hot in Baralaba but those few days - I never thought it would get that hot here.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"It does take me back to Baralaba a bit."[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]Starting the year as a second rower for the Broncos under 20s - he also represented Queensland under 20s - Oates never expected to be playing NRL.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]But some injuries in the backline and an amazing maturity saw him surprise opposition defences and net eight tries in those nine games.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]He will be battling with the likes of Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Lachlan Maranta and new buys Daniel Vidot and Stewart Mills for an outside back spot when the season rolls around.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]Oates has had off-season shoulder surgery but he knows expectation will be higher this time around.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"Where ever they need me," is his answer to where he wants to play in 2014.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"Last year wasn't too bad. I will be happy to play wherever, and I do like the outside backs a bit more.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"To fall across that (try) line as many times as I did is still a bit of a blur and I never thought it would happen.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"This year there is a lot more goal wise and I just want to get back into the side.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=PTSansRegular]"I want to get over my injuries and play my best week in and week out."[/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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