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Message: [QUOTE="Super Freak, post: 2850817, member: 8536"] DUMPED Queensland winger Corey Oates admits he never saw his axing coming and believes he can help the injury-ravaged Maroons to Origin glory in the Suncorp decider. Speaking for the first time since his shock sacking for Origin II, Oates said he disagreed with Queensland coach Kevin Walters’ decision, but is refusing to give up hope of a Maroons recall. Oates was jettisoned to make way for Game Two debutant Valentine Holmes on the left wing _ despite the Broncos hulk scoring Queensland’s only try in their series-opening 28-4 defeat. His club coach, Wayne Bennett, has come out swinging in support, slamming Maroons hierarchy for dumping Oates, who has impressed in his four appearances for Queensland. Oates continued his good form on Saturday night, running for 144 metres and scoring his eighth try of the season in Brisbane’s 30-20 disposal of Canberra, and remains mystified by his Origin omission. “I won’t lie — I am disappointed,” Oates said. “I felt like I did my job in Origin I. There were a few areas where clearly the (Queensland) selectors didn’t think I did my job. “They must have looked at something. “It was a decision they felt they had to make. I don’t believe it was the right call, but I will work as hard as I possibly can to get back in the team. “All I could do was cop it on the chin. “The decision was made (to drop him) and whether it was the right one ... well, I don’t agree with it, but all I can do is play good football for the Broncos now and focus on winning the premiership for Brisbane.” With Darius Boyd to miss the Origin decider due to a broken thumb, there is a vacancy in Queensland’s backline. One option is to play Will Chambers and Dane Gagai in the centres in a move that could lead to a Holmes-Oates wing alliance. The towering Broncos winger said he didn’t probe Walters for a detailed reason for his axing, but is adamant he wouldn’t fail the Maroons if recalled for Origin III. “I’d love to be back there for Game Three. I’d even play centres if they want to give me a crack,” Oates said. “Kevvie rang me the night before the team (for Origin II) was named. “He didn’t really explain why I missed out. He just said a decision was made and I didn’t ask many questions, I just said thanks for letting me know. “I kept it short and sweet.” The Maroons snubbing clearly didn’t impact on Oates’ confidence levels against the Raiders as he combined well with Benji Marshall, who set up the winger’s opening try. “Benji has been awesome for a lot of guys here, including myself,” Oates said. “He knows how to get the best out of his teammates, he has been a great role model for us young blokes. “Having him for a back-up half when one of the boys goes down gives us unbelievable depth. He is a classy player and he knows how to win a game with his experience.” [URL]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin/state-of-origin-2017-corey-oates-says-he-never-saw-his-origin-axing-coming/news-story/af09aff7705623c8aa3fe4e9fbd2c054[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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