Lockyer has urged Corey Oates to consider making his role as a utility player permanent, as the Broncos veteran faces an unclear future with the club.
The former State of Origin winger has not played in the NRL this season, with rising gun Deine Mariner securing a vacant wing berth during preseason and impressing in his early games for Brisbane.
Oates, 29, will start on the bench against the Cowboys in round four.
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ QLDER, the club director conceded that Oates is unlikely to play regular first-grade outside backs at Red Hill in the future and should consider playing closer to the middle of the field.
“It’s an opportunity for him,” Lockyer explained.
“I also believe it is in his own mind that he needs to adapt to being a versatile player… he isn’t getting any younger.”
“He may need to be able to cover the back row…” There is value in that.
Oates has only started eight NRL games in the second row, yet he was once one of the game’s most destructive and dominant wingers.
However, with his contract with the Broncos expiring this year, Queensland icon Wally Lewis feels a positional transfer may extend his stay.
“To be able to be selected on the wing, second-row and probably up front should they need him, it’s going to be a great benefit to him if he does show how many positions he can play,” he said.
“It’s great value to the coach and it will increase his own outlook on the game as well.”
Brisbane’s lack of depth in the edge forward position, with Kurt Capewell set to leave at the end of 2023 and Brendan Piakura sidelined due to injury, could also benefit Oates.
