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Message: [QUOTE="Super Freak, post: 2818048, member: 8536"] COREY Oates says he will have to improve his form to hold his Origin place this year with a Maroons backline shuffle likely to accommodate Billy Slater’s comeback. Slater’s return at fullback would mean Darius Boyd moving into the three-quarter line, possibly on the left wing where Oates debuted for Queensland last year when Boyd excelled at fullback. Oates insisted his confidence had returned in his bomb-catching for the Broncos after some errors and high balls which he let bounce late last season. “It’s tough for the selectors this year,’’ Oates said. “Slater is one of the greatest fullbacks in the game and Darius played the series last year. “I feel like I’ve got to improve. It’s down to who’s playing the best footy at the time. I’ll try my heart out to get that position back but I’m focused on this week coming.’’ Oates has trained hard since the pre-season started on fielding high balls. He acknowledges that attacking kickers are sending traffic his way this year more than to Jordan Kahu’s right flank. Oates said Broncos kicking and catching consultant Daniel Merrett, the former Lions AFL defender, had been a valuable voice in his ear. “I’m happy with what I’ve been doing, but I still want to improve,’’ Oates said. “I have any confidence back and my timing. Last year I couldn’t catch anything towards the end of the season. “(Merrett) told me to attack the ball with confidence, going in like I’m not going to drop it at all. I have to thank him for that. He reminded me of the things I did right last year. “He said to be confident with my call and not shy away from it. “You have to go in expecting to be hit when you land. You have to concentrate on the ball and be ready for the impact when you land.’’ [URL]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin/corey-oates-is-pessimistic-about-his-state-of-origin-chances-with-billy-slater-available/news-story/193c31a6ad31029d857c0c066f58a541[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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