The Gold Coast Bulletin

Corey’s Maroon hopes crushed

- TRAVIS MEYN

BRONCOS star Corey Oates has been rocked by a serious infection that has left him hospitalis­ed and cruelled any chance of an Origin recall.

Oates has been in a Brisbane hospital since last Friday to be treated for a staph infection, which left the towering winger in excruciati­ng pain.

The 22-year-old missed a final shot to impress Maroons selectors for a spot in the Origin decider and is not expected to be released for several days.

Oates last year went through a heart scare and had to be cleared by a cardiologi­st to make his Origin debut.

Broncos CEO Paul White visited Oates in hospital yesterday and said his condition had improved.

“He’s got a staph infection and is on antibiotic­s,” he said.

“He will stay in as long as they require.

“When I visited him he was in good spirits. They know there is an infection and they can now treat it.

“They will continue to monitor him. Hopefully he responds well and we will take it day-by-day.”

Oates reported significan­t pain in his lower back, hips and legs to Broncos medical staff before training last Thursday and sat out the session.

He was admitted to hospital the following day and missed Brisbane’s clash against the Storm at Suncorp Stadium.

With Queensland losing Broncos skipper Darius Boyd (broken thumb) for next Wednesday’s decider, Oates was in the frame for a recall after being dropped for Game Two.

But he did not get the chance to press his claims and is now fighting to return for the Broncos in Saturday week’s clash against Newcastle.

“He requires plenty of rest at the moment,” White said.

“They have got on top of the pain and those issues he was experienci­ng on Thursday.

“He’s still got a fair bit of recovery in front of him but they know what they are dealing with.

“It’s way too early to make those decisions (on when he will play). The doctors will make those decisions and we will always take the utmost caution and care.

“The priority is to get him well. Once he is well then we can look forward to when he can play again.”

Oates had nine operations before he was 21 for a range of injuries but has managed 89 NRL games for the Broncos.

 ?? Picture: PETER WALLIS ?? Corey Oates’s hopes of a recall to the Queensland side for the deciding Origin clash were crushed by a hospital stay in the past week.
Picture: PETER WALLIS Corey Oates’s hopes of a recall to the Queensland side for the deciding Origin clash were crushed by a hospital stay in the past week.

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