Brisbane have received a welcome boost ahead of their away clash with Cronulla, with representative winger Corey Oates getting through a full training session.
The Broncos have five players involved in State of Origin, with a decision to be made later in the week on the availability of Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Pat Carrigan Tom Flegler and Payne Haas for Saturday night’s Shark Park clash.
Oates has had a wretched run with injury this season, missing five weeks with a broken jaw and then sustaining a grade-two posterior cruciate ligament strain in the round-eight win over Parramatta.
He has played just three games in 2023, ruling him out of contention to retain his Maroons jersey.
The Broncos’ Origin players have been named to play the Sharks, with Oates on an extended bench. He will slot in for Cobbo if the Broncos decide to rest the 20-year-old.
Centre Herbie Farnworth said after Wednesday’s training session that Oates’ imminent return was a boost ahead of what looms as a gruelling six weeks over the Origin period.
“He is a very classy player, Oatesy,” Farnworth said.
“He trucks it up and is very tough to tackle. Having that extra big body out of yardage is always good for us.
“It will be interesting to see whether Cobbo backs up or not but we have some coverage there.
“Having (Oates) back is pretty cool. He has been pretty unlucky with injuries this year.
“Fingers crossed no one gets injured (in Origin) and we have a full strength side.”
The last time Farnworth ventured to Cronulla was for his winning debut in 2019. At one point in the match he had blood smeared across his face following an accidental collision with then-Sharks centre Josh Dugan.
The 23-year-old has come a long way since then as he gears up to clash with Sharks centre Jesse Ramien.
Before his debut Farnworth received plenty of press about once being in the Manchester United junior system, with dreams of becoming a Premier League midfielder.
Now he is regarded as one of the best centres in rugby league, having starred for England at last year’s World Cup.
“I made my debut at Shark Park and got the win as well, so I am keen to go back down there and get another two points,” he said.
“I was a scrawny kid then and Dugan … gave me a bloodied nose. It was good times.
“He is a very classy centre, Ramien, and I am keen to play against him. We always have good battles. I am keen for it.”
Australian Associated Press