‘I was punched in the face’: Who wins Broncos’ selection battles?

Jesse Arthars, Fletcher Baker, Corey Oates and Corey Jensen will be vying to fill the huge voids in the Brisbane Broncos line up.

Corey Oates has declared the decision to axe him from the Broncos’ finals charge in favour of Jesse Arthars was not the “big call” it had been made out to be, as he fights to resurrect his NRL career.

After the 29-year-old’s wretched run with injuries in 2023 limited him to just nine games – a broken jaw and knee issues among his setbacks – the former Queensland winger appeared destined to make an impression at the business end of the season.

However, his lack of game time and the form of Arthars ultimately forced coach Kevin Walters’ hand, leaving the then off-contract Oates on the outer.

But Brisbane’s return to preseason training last week presented the dawning of a new beginning for the nine-time State of Origin star, re-energised by the inking of a new one-year deal to remain at Red Hill.

As standout centre Herbie Farnworth begins his tenure with the Dolphins, it is expected rookie prospect Deine Mariner will fill that void, although both Arthars and Selwyn Cobbo will be in contention for the position as well.

Yet it is likely that Oates and Arthars will be pitted against each other once again.

“Honestly, he had a great season, I’m never going to take that away from him. He deserved the spot, Jesse, everyone says it’s a big call, but … he did great every game he played,” Oates said.

“He deserved his spot and I honestly think he was one of the best players in the grand final and the whole finals’ series.

“Now we’re all going to be pushing for positions. I’ll just be doing what I can pushing the point, and hopefully, they have the confidence in me to do the job.”

Farnworth’s departure is just one key role the Broncos will need to fill, with grand final props Thomas Flegler and Keenan Palasia embarking on new chapters.

Flegler’s loss to the Dolphins looms as particular damaging, having cemented himself as one of the NRL’s premier forwards by earning a Kangaroos call-up.

Among the contenders for the front-row job is recruit Fletcher Baker, who turned down interest from “a couple of clubs” to join the Walters mission from the Sydney Roosters.

The 23-year-old is set to battle with veteran Corey Jensen and Marty Taupau, as well as youngster Xavier Willison, for two available spots, although reports suggesting Kurt Capewell could be on an early move to the New Zealand Warriors may open another window.

Baker admits he was “punched in the face” by the sweltering Queensland heat – a fresh challenge for his training regime.

While he said he was confident his brand of rugby league would suit the Broncos’ model, he was yet to think about announcing himself as Flegler’s heir apparent.

“To play alongside the crew they’ve got in the forwards is incredible, but I haven’t taken too much interest in that [replacing Flegler],” Baker said.

“I want to have my best preseason here and make an impression, I want to be in that team wherever I fit I’ll fit.

“They’re good players, and I think the team they were last year and this year as well, their football compliments me as well.

“I like to play support, ball play, quick play the balls – if you can do that off Payne Haas and Patty Carrigan with all the pretty boys up the back, it’s great footy.

“Obviously they’ve lost some good players, but if you look inside these walls there’s some young players coming through and they’re developing. Hopefully I can play that part as well.”