It was a simple rev-up from Souths Logan coach Steven Bretherton that has helped take Corey Oates from Queensland Cup to Maroons State of Origin contention. "I took the losses to heart," Oates admitted. "I'd been here so long. I started to try and do too much and tried to change a lot." This year, Brisbane have returned to the top eight ahead of Magic Round against Manly and Oates is quite clearly back. He has scored seven tries in nine games and made more metres than any other winger in the competition. He is also back feeling like himself on and off the field. And for that, he thanks Souths Logan coach Bretherton. "The Q-Cup coach I was with at the time really helped me and said, 'I'm a big believer in you' and to get back doing the simple things," Oates said. "It was a massive thing for me. "It wasn't not enjoying it but I was just getting frustrated with myself ... I was putting so much pressure on myself to perform. "I didn't realise what I was doing before that was enough. "All the hard carries and showing up for all kicks, those small effort areas, that's what I brought to a team. He made me realise that." "I'm just trying to enjoy it and get back to being me," he said. "Get my carries, competing on all the plays and just finishing the tries off when I get the chance to. Just being there for the chance of the ball falling in my hands.
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