NEWS Oates under pressure to make transition

[007]

Thinking about this more. Oates on the bench could be a reasonable utility for middle half or outer half. Would give us two separate forwards on the bench, a utility halves/back and utility forward/back. We will see a few rounds in how strong our pack is, but that balance is about right against most teams if our pack is fit.

 

[Mr Fourex]

yep he tackles

Yes...but can he do it for longer periods of the game at a higher level of intensity. Can he go from making ~10 tackles a game to 30-40?

...and will his young fragile body be able to take it, week after week?

Personally I would have preferred him to have at least one more season on the wing and be encouraged to go looking for the ball more. He could play the part of a wide running backrower, while still essentially playing on the wing.

 

[Foordy]

he's been forced into a corner by Corey's demands.

Wayne doesn't get forced into a corner by anyone ...

he is prepared to give him a chance, probably because he respects Oates as a player ... but you can be sure of one thing ... if Oates doesn't cut it in the second row, it will be to the wing or ISC for him

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Lol, Wayne's bowing to Corey because he wants to appease him and keep him happy - AKA he's valuable to the Broncos. Wayne isn't playing anything - he's been forced into a corner by Corey's demands.

Please. Oates performs or he goes. To the wing or to our feeder club down the road. We're're talking Wayne Bennett, not Hook here...

 

[Accept]

Lol, Wayne's bowing to Corey because he wants to appease him and keep him happy - AKA he's valuable to the Broncos. Wayne isn't playing anything - he's been forced into a corner by Corey's demands.

lol, you are obviously new to the game. A coach who has tapped on the shoulder the likes of Wally, Hancock, Kevie, Parker etc won't be intimidated by an injury prone winger/wannabe forward. He's not the greatest ever coach in the sport because he succumbs to player's demands.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

lol, you are obviously new to the game. A coach who has tapped on the shoulder the likes of Wally, Hancock, Kevie, Parker etc won't be intimidated by an injury prone winger/wannabe forward. He's not the greatest ever coach in the sport because he succumbs to player's demands.

Well he has caved to Oates' demands, as he would prefer he played on the wing.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Well he has caved to Oates' demands, as he would prefer he played on the wing.

That's not caving. He's respecting his choice. He's allowing Corey to work hard for his goal if he wants it it is there. But he's saying it's a high risk high reward. Perform or plunder. Your future is yours for the taking.. because again, he's not hook. He won't force players out of position if they're not comfortable and he isn't putting a player on the roster above the roster itself. No demands are made to the Broncos. You fit into the team and respect the jersey or you go to the titans, eels or sharks.

 

[Smokin' Joe]

Well he has caved to Oates' demands, as he would prefer he played on the wing.

Or so he would have you think! Puts pressure on Oates. Stand up and make the position your own if you want it. He hasn’t caved. He knows Oates is a backrower, always has been.

What’s the worst that can happen? He trials there, doesn’t work out and he ends up back on the wing. Nothing lost. Or, he kills it because he desperately wants it.

 

[Porthoz]

Or so he would have you think! Puts pressure on Oates. Stand up and make the position your own if you want it. He hasn’t caved. He knows Oates is a backrower, always has been.

What’s the worst that can happen? He trials there, doesn’t work out and he ends up back on the wing. Nothing lost. Or, he kills it because he desperately wants it.

Psychology 101.

 

[Morepudding]

Nothing out of the ordinary with the comments. Oates will be in the 17 each week as he has far more utility than Mead did and he was in our 17 as the utility a few times last year. Thaiday, TPJ, Oates and Offa/Haas/Sua will be our bench. Wouldn't be overly surprised if Thaiday doesn't make the 17 some times, but i think for the most part he will so we have some experience on the bench. He's definitely not what he used to be, but I think playing a role in the middle will be better where he doesn't need speed. He got found out a lot last year when he played second row. Oates will likely get 25-35 minutes a game and is able to fill in at wing or centre if their is an injury. Having Jack Bird gives us so much utility. The bloke can cover every position bar prop, so having someone like oates who can come in and fill his centre spot, or shuffle kahu to centre and fill wing gives us a lot of options in case of injury / concussion.

 

[Nepal Donkeys]

He’s bigger, faster and I dare say maybe stronger than Coen Hess.

I expect Oates will do great in the back row, even if only an impact guy at first.

There was a play last year against Canberra where Benji had Oates run a second rowers line and turned the ball into him and he was unstoppable. He’ll be a great asset running at the line like that 25 minutes into a half against tired players and smaller halves, especially with someone like Nikorima drawing defenders and getting him the ball.

 

[Number6]

Why does a winger have to be worth so little in comparison? He’s a try scoring meter eater. I’d argue that is worth more than some forwards on the roster, although I imagine Bennett has a no expensive wingers policy...

If this is his dream good luck he’s earned an opportunity to give him a shot (within limits like Wayne said) but am concerned about how his body will manage.