Some Broncos bound to go
Bennett — salary cap means ‘you can’t keep them all’
WAYNE Bennett conceded yesterday that salary-cap pressures will force some players out of the Broncos after star winger Corey Oates revealed plans to test his value on the open market.
The Broncos have 16 players off contract this season, including Oates, who heads into tonight’s clash against Manly in the Suncorp double-header with his future at Red Hill increasingly uncertain.
The towering winger hopes to stay at the Broncos but with the club fighting to stave-off poaching raids for their young guns, Oates could earn more elsewhere, prompting him to explore his options.
Club’s are already circling Brisbane’s off-contract stars with South Sydney tabling a $1.5 million deal for Brisbane back-row sensation Jaydn Su’A.
Other off-contract Broncos include NRL regulars Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai Jr, Korbin Sims, Tom Opacic, Jamayne Isaako and Oates.
Last season the Broncos lost six players – Ben Hunt, Herman Ese’ese, Tautau Moga, Adam Blair, Benji Marshall and Jai Arrow – to lucrative deals.
Bennett admits others, possibly Oates, may join the exodus.
“We have to make some good decisions about who we keep and who we let go,” the coach said.
“I’m confident we’ll keep Corey, but there’s no guarantees. We want him to stay here so we’ll try and work out a deal.
“You can’t keep them all. That’s why we’ve had to let players go over the last three or four years, that’s what the salary cap is designed for.
“We produce probably more players than any club in the game and everyone wants our players.
“It’s just the nature of the business and we either get guys to stay here, or we let them go.”
Former Maroons winger Oates is in the process of severing ties with his agent, whose current management deal expires in August.
It means Oates is reluctant to sign any contract until September, giving him time to negotiate with rival clubs, although the 23-year-old accepts there is an element of risk in remaining a free agent at a time when the NRL finals will be approaching.
However, the veteran of 105 NRL games is confronting the most important contract negotiation of his career.
“I am happy with how I am going, I will start testing myself on the open market,” he said.
“I am letting my footy do its talking and when the deals come, I will look at them.
“I am just trying to play consistent footy. I haven’t been in talks yet but you are always happy to test yourself on the open market to see what you are worth.”
Su’A, 20, is among a posse of rookies Bennett rates the best batch he has seen at Red Hill in 10 years.
“The young guys are a priority for us,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll keep them.”