Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to the Robin and Kid podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
We have a special guest in the studio. Not to finish,
but worry, and we were not expecting you in here
this morning, Cory. You walked in straight after news and said,
I've got something to tell you. So the microphone is yours, Corey.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Well, yeah, it's actually kind of that day unfortunately. Yeah,
today will be me announcing my retirement from the professional league.
So it's a it's a hard one, but you know,
I guess I've known for a little while, but to
actually get to the day, it's probably a bit more
(00:49):
emotional and harder than what I expected.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
So what happened because we've been harassing you that is
true throughout, you know, the end of the season, and
you were really clear that you wanted to talk to
your family. When did you make this decision?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
To be honest, it was probably yeah, yeah, for me,
it was it was pretty made up, you know, a
month ago or however long ago it was. But I
guess it was just that little last you know, five
ten percent, I'm sure that, you know, just talking to
Tea and she was yeah, the one that was kept
saying he's sure, like yeah, you know, because she's it's
(01:31):
just all you've known and it's all you've done, Like
it's a pretty big decision.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And it's going to be a lot more of you
at home. I'd imagine, yeah about that.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
I think she was.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
She was sick of me after that, me being home
for like half the time.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I said, well, you know, it's going to be home
a lot more now, and I'm annoying as it is,
like you laugh.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
But was there ever a chance because everyone was blindsided
with Kevy going and we talked taps about that with
you and you kind of felt felt really bad for him.
Was there as with a new coach, that you might
have been offered a new contract?
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Yeah, And even if I was, it's just the last
eighteen months for me has been pretty painful.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
It's been you know, pretty what part of up and down.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I just just trying to come back from the injuries
and the Eagles and then getting myself up and.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Ready each week.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
You know, I basically get some of the boys during
the week saying like, there's no way you're playing this week,
and and it was just you know, because I was
I was just that much pain with my legs and
my knees, and you know, I'd be hobbling around and
and but I just always knew what I had to
do to get myself ready for a game every week. Like,
no matter how sorry I was during the week, I'd
always know, I would always know I'd be, you know,
(02:44):
pretty close to ninety of.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Me now, not back when I started, but to play.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
And it was just the constant pain is Yes, it's
it's really played a big toll on me and my decision.
And yeah, like just having the kids Montian Huks and
just wanting to be a part of their life as
much as I can when I'm older is.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
A part of the decision in the end too.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I want to be out there, you know, playing and
playing around them, playing sports and and trying to teach
them as much as I possibly can. And you know,
if I keep playing and keep it abusing my body
the way I do when I play, I don't think
that because.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
There are some older players that are literally hoppling around.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah, And and to be honest, I don't know if
I've if I'm going to be there or if I
will be just with you know what I've already had done.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
But I've got my faith in in Liam, my brother
in law, to physio.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
He's an exos phidologist, so he can fix me. I said,
this is your job to fix me.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Now, So how are you feeling? Are you proud of yourself?
Speaker 6 (03:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Now, I'm actually all right.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
It's it was emoginal coming in today because obviously, yeah,
this is it, this is definitely it. But yeah, look
I'm I'm really proud of everything I've achieved because, you know,
growing up in a small country townumbrella bar and playing
foot it was just fun. You know, you never ever
thought you were going to, you know, come to the
(04:17):
big city and and play that play the game you
watched on TV. You know, you just never thought that
was ever going to be a possibility as a kid.
You always you know, I said it yesterday to our
media feather. I said, it was funny because I remember
the backyard. You commentate yourself while you're playing against your
brother or you know, your Chip Chase, and you say,
you know I'm down lock, you you know this is
(04:39):
down lucky Chip.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
I just you do that, But you.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Don't ever think that you're going to be on that
stage and and playing, you know, against professional league players
and and doing that for a living and yeah, it's
been the best journey and and and the most incredible
right of my life. And I never I ever thought
it was going to be a possibility. So you know,
(05:02):
to play one and then to get the twohndred and
sixteen games for the Bronx is yeah, something just I
never thought it was going to be possible.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
And number three all time try scorer for the Broncos,
just behind Darren Locke. You needed one more.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
To take you, especially when I come through as a
back rally.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Yes, really, well, well, Ali, our boss Corey, I know
you spoke to her, even though we were surprised this morning,
you spoke to her and she did not just leave
things alone. She has spoken to some of the people
in your world, some of the people you're closest to,
ex coaches, Queensland legends, and we have some messages coming up.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
For our sole. Let's do that good.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Cory Oats is with us if you've just joined us.
Corey had a big announcement for us this morning that
he is retiring. As I feel having that out there
in the world.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
No, I'm good now, Yeah, it's nice, it's it's refreshing.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Okay, we'll hang on to your hat, my friend, because
our producers have spoken to a whole lot of people
that mean a whole lot to you in both your
rugby league and your personal life, and we've got some
messages for you.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Yeah, we're just going to kick it off before we
do a song. We'll just kick it off. This person
I know you talk about him a lot as your
best mate at the Broncos ex South opponent and now
captain of the Broncos Reno Adam Reynolds.
Speaker 7 (06:19):
Hey, Gary, just want to congratulate you on an amazing career.
You should be proud of everything you've done and achieved
in the game. There's two parts to our story. Firstly,
the opponent. Every time you got the ball you tried
to run over the top of me, which ninety percent
of the time you did besides our origin debu where
I smashed you and yes you got the scar to
prove this. Secondly, becoming teammates. The way you welcome to me,
(06:40):
not only into the club, but your family is something
old forever be grateful for. I don't know what I'll
miss most from our coffee dates, cricket on the mats
or the shit chat you tossed up in the sauna.
But what I do know is you've been a great
teammate through my time. More importantly, when you started as
a chubby second rower, you've become a husband, a father,
and a shit goal far majority of time.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Mate.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
I look forward to a few more schooners in the
near future. All the best, Love your chap.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Why does he call you Gary?
Speaker 8 (07:08):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
It's a terrible nickname I got Yeah, Okay, No, it's
the worst story.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Any ex player whispoke to has called you Gary.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's not even the funniest. It's not even a funny story.
How I got it?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Well, you're nearly crying at that one. You wait to
do you hear what we got coming?
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Because not only do we have your mentor, but we
also have someone that you can siner an icon in
the game, and they both want to give you a message.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Let's do it next. That's Robin and Kip Kisses ninety
seven to three, and it must.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Be a big day. He's got like a full shirt on.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yes, I don't think it was too professional.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
A lot of people are reacting on our text line
four O nine nine seven three nine seven three. Michelle says,
I don't follow rugby but actually sobbing in my car
all the very best.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Core Oh, thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
We've got a lot of messages because even though we
didn't know this announcement was happening, our boss Ali did,
and so she organized a bunch of people in your world, Corey,
with some messages, some that you know well, some that
you just idolized, including the person you nearly knocked off
on the old time try score a tally for the Broncos,
Darren Lockyer, who had this to say, Well.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
Hello, Corey, you haven't worked it out, Darren lock Here
it is and yesterday has come. I remember when I
decided to go in this path and it is daunting,
but I think for you, mate, you've done a hell
of a job for the Broncos. You should hold your
head up high. Look, I'm going to miss those aerial
jumps in the corner thing for the try line and
(08:40):
I know you scored some spectacular tries and I'll always
remember you for that down that left side there, and
I funnily you could have got one more. We could
have sat on the second place find Steve ruanoff together,
but it wasn't to be, mate. But again, like I said, you've.
Speaker 9 (08:57):
Been through some fantastic years. You've been through some tough years.
The way you handled yourself when things were tough, and
that's what I really admire about your mate. So all
the best with what's next, I'm sure you'll you'll find
something that you'll enjoy and you do your family proud,
and it's now's the time to go and enjoy a
bit of time as your family and your children, and
I'm sure you'll be a wonderful dad and a wonderful
(09:19):
husband even without Rugby league.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
So again, congratulations made on a great career and all
the best.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Yeah, that was really nice.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
It's incredible because he gave me my Life Membership award
last year too, so he Yeah, so that was Did.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
You get to play with Lockie or was he just
at the end? Was he leaving when you came?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
He retired in eleven, Okay, came end of There's an
eleven and when I realized I was coming to the Bronx,
the one thing I wanted was just to be able
to be in the same locker room or train and
he retired honestly that year, and he came down here
like a month later to say, yeah, it was pretty hard,
but yeah, I end up getting the chance to actually
(10:07):
get flogged by him in the He used to take
us for runs around Baddington and he was he's just
so fit. Like he used to run up to the
front of the line, which was probably a k away
from me because I was unfit and I hated running,
and then run all the way to the back and say, oh,
make you be right and get your gun, and then
run all the way to the front again up to
show the boys better go run all the way back
(10:28):
to me and get me gone. And it was like,
just just that in itself was really cool for a
young kid and for me because I loved I loved
him my whole childhood coming through. So yeah, to get
the award off him last year, it was, Yeah, it
was pretty special.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Well, we've got to get to news, but I'm going
to just I'm just going to show you just a
tiny bit of of who we've got for you next, Corey.
So when we come back from news, let's hear what
Wayne Vennett has to say about your time at court.
Corey Oates is with us in the studio as well.
Corey came in with a surprise for us this morning
just after seven to announce his retirement.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Yeah, and we've had him in here and our producers
knew this was coming, so we were able to get
some of the people that really love and respect you,
and people that you have played with and played under
to give you some messages.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Corey told us off here that he's been practicing things
to stop crying for today. So what are you doing.
You're pushing your tongue into the top of your mouth
and you're shuffling your feet.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Yeah, as you can imagine, I've given him lots of tips.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yes, yes, well I suggest maybe today is not the day,
but you should check out the Broncos Instagram page because
it is. They posted about it this morning. Well, it
is being absolutely flooded with comments like my childhood hero,
the definition of loyalty, Goatsy, And we do have this
message from one of your great coaches in Wayne Bennett.
Speaker 10 (11:58):
Oh courio invented here. There spent a lot of time
together at the Broncos four years. I came back there
and I always enjoyed coaching you. There was always some
fun around when you were in a big fellow. It
challenged me with a few of your athicts, but the
bottom line was, I thought we always had a good
re poor and you played.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Some wonderful football.
Speaker 10 (12:18):
And I think when they kind of reflect on your
career today a little bit, well remind themselves have just
said were the player you were? You weren't made for
the back row, thought you were. But in the end
I let you play there. And when you come and
ask me for the opportunity to go back on the wing.
But as I said, be in kamenis career, wonderful career.
(12:39):
Actually a lot of tries, with a lot of time
for a lot of people. And I always enjoyed coaching you.
So well done and enjoy your day. You've got lots
of things to be proud.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Of there now, and that's what I am. Every time
I talk about my career, I always go back to Wayne.
You know, it was a big part of you know me,
and you know a lot of the tips that he
gave me along the way. I've always stuck with him,
and I've always reminded myself about him over the years,
(13:09):
and whenever I got stuck in a in a hole
or needed some advice and help, and I always rang
him and he always was, yeah, always willing to give
me advice and picked up and you know, he always
rang me back and will that continue.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Yeah, I've I really, I really enjoyed way.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
And he's I just I just think he's he's he's
one of the best that I've ever come across, just
with in terms of people just love you know, him
just for who he is and and they love hearing
him talk.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
And that's the.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
Most words I've ever heard come.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
Out of.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
They just love him being in the rooms. And that's
how I feel about the guy.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
He's He's just an incredible person and he just wants
the best for everyone that that that comes across him.
And for me, I just you know, while he gave
me some really harsh, harsh words on the over the years,
you know, they were all they were all meaningful and
and and and he knew what they'll they they're meant
to do for me and in my mindset, and he
(14:12):
just knew what needed to be said to me. And
and Milford actually, Anthony Milford and myself are pretty similar.
And you know, Wayne used to get this in the
in the at the same time. Sometimes he didn't.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
Have to waste it pretty much.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
It's actually funny.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I remember an army camp, and he said to me
and milk at the start, and he used to do not.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Talk for two days.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Two days.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
No words can't unless you're asked. We're coming up for
a second.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
We asked your lovely wife tag and if she would
record a message for you. She kept crying every time
she so she has written a message which Robin's going
to read for you after this. David Ghettter and one
Republic It's Robin and Kip kiss He ninety seven three
seven forty eight. We've still got Luke Homme's tickets to
(15:02):
give away on the show today. If you can get
through to our producer cast on thirteen one oh sixty five,
we're going to do the drawer just after eight thirty
this morning. We'll call back the person we draw out.
If they don't answer, though, we'll open up the phone
so you could still snake on through and win. So
we're going to do that, but you can get in
that draw right now. Thirteen one oh sixty five. Coreyots
is in the studio with us, has been for the
(15:23):
last half hour because he had a big announcement for
us this morning of his retirement.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Good to have it off your chest, Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
How are you feeling. You've been Okay, you've been a lot.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
I said, those those tricks I looked up they're working.
No crying. I feel the emotions comes through every time
I stopped doing them.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
So you're shuffling your feet.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Wayne Bennett, nearly got, You're lucky, nearly got.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
What about your kids, daddy?
Speaker 7 (15:49):
We love you.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
That's just the one from Yeah Monty. Yeah, they got
sorry mate, I was I was joking. I didn't mean
to get your sorry.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Mate.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
Can then pay himself and let's get a message from
your father in law.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Jeene Miles.
Speaker 11 (16:06):
Oh, well, you've made the big decision, Corey. Tough decisions
to make, but obviously you knew it's time and we
all go through that. In my highlight of your career
was obviously delivering two beautiful grandchildren to Deborah and myself.
We obviously love them so much so looking forward to
(16:26):
being part of their life and yours growing up and
going through the schooling stages and then university and work.
We can share that experience together. So well, Hanson, congratulations
and good luck.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Jean Miles man, he was such an enforcer.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
For those that don't know Corey married into Ooral Origin
Royalty with Gene Miles and Tagan being Jean's daughter. Now Teagan.
We did ask to put a message together for you, Corey.
She tried to record this several times and broke up.
What's what's in your house at the moment? Is it
just tears everywhere?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Yeah, but happy tears too.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
I'm guessing like this is a whole new beginning for you.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
It's funny because Monty, oh God, on that walk around
after the last game, she wouldn't leave my side sort
of thing.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
So she said, of knew, Yeah, do.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
You want me to read this? Okay, let's just not
look at Cory while we do this. A message from
your wife, Tig and Monty. Huxy and I are incredibly
proud of you and all you've accomplished. We've been fortunate
to celebrate so many milestones together. Even if you tend
to shy away from recognition, you truly deserve every bit
(17:46):
of it. We've seen the dedication and effort you put in,
along with your unwavering determination to be the best version
of yourself.
Speaker 5 (17:55):
You inspire us all, but.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
What fills me with the most pride is the husband
and father you've become. Thank you for letting me be
a part of this journey over the past nearly ten years.
It hasn't always been easy, but watching you live out
your childhood dream has made it all worthwhile. The best
is yet to come. We adore you.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Thanks, he really got me. It's far out.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Let's go to deb Dev's gotten through on thirteen one,
six y five. Hey, hey, Deb, Hey, how are you
doing great while we're a messing here? Actually that was so.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Beautiful, such beautiful messages for Corey.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Are you a big fan?
Speaker 10 (18:42):
Deb?
Speaker 11 (18:43):
Absolutely, whole family is, and we've just enjoyed watching all
of his footy for all these years.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
Just yeah, so such an amazing career.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Yeah, that's all right, let's compose ourselves when we'll come
back in a second.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Horry, this is great, right, this is actually everything you wanted.
You've walked out on your own terms, doing it when
it was time to go.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was definitely the time for me. Yeah,
I'm just I'm just excited.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
To have more of a life with the kids and
Antiguan and yeah, just excited to see what Thanks now.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
You say that now, if you're anything like Whiteman, a
whole week of parenting.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
You'll be begging to go back.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
I had hucks for one day. Yes, I just want to.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Have less time with my family.
Speaker 6 (19:35):
Sorry.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
I love this one and there's possibly a story behind it.
Congrats Corey on a wonderful career from the team at
BCF Evidence Park. You're an amazing man and we wish
you nothing but the best as you enter your next
phase in this life. Soak up the accolades as you
definitely deserve them, and make sure you keep coming in
to entertain us all tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
You got some time to fish there it out of
Wakley's on the phone as well. Thirteen one oh six fives.
Hey David, how's it going?
Speaker 8 (20:05):
Cory? How's it going?
Speaker 4 (20:06):
Everybody?
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Hey Dave, you're a South African. Do you like rugby league?
Speaker 8 (20:11):
It's the second best top of rugby, and yet you
like Cory. I was working for the auditors that actually
ordered the Broncos in twenty seventeen and I got to
meet Cory at one of the training sessions down at
their home training ground, so and some of the other teams.
(20:31):
So yeah, they introduced me to the Maroons and you. Yeah,
I just enjoyed the physicaldy of the game, and you know,
Corey's always been a strong, strong player out on the
wing and you know, never never tried to dive over
people and transport trials.
Speaker 9 (20:49):
And it's good on you.
Speaker 8 (20:52):
It's been a good run.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
Well done, David.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
So as we wrap up and you you know, I
know you've got a big presentation tonight and so on,
and you you aren't leaving us.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
You are coming back in here. We have many things
we want to do with it.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
From radio.
Speaker 4 (21:07):
When you look back on your career, what's the one
moment is there something that will stand out?
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Yeah, definitely Origin for me, just the players in that
in that team was Yeah, it was just it was
kind of something I never thought it could be possible
for me.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
It was you know, he always, like I said, you always.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Dream of playing the league, but then when you get here,
you never you never think you're going to make that stage,
that level, you know, because and the and the players
in that team at the time was Yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Got one in particular one year or it's just.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Sixteen when a debude. I actually have the photos at
home and it's one that I've never forgetten It's a
photo of JT and me and he's jumped up on
me when I scored my first Origin try and that
was the game at Brisbane, and yeah, forever That'll be
instilled in my and I'm just never it's just it's
(22:02):
the proudest man in my life is having Yeah that
that photo so and being a part of that team,
you know, like Creakingliss, you know, Darius Boy was in
that team, Cam Smith, Cooper Krank, you know, just all
those players in that team. You know, it was it
was still yeah do this just it's it's a really
(22:24):
pinched me sort of moment. It was, Yeah, I always
talk about and even when people come out of my
house now I've got in the in the in my
room and.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
They go, how did you play in that day? I said,
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
You And I said that's why, you know, it's just
that's for me And it would have been hard to
pass out, you know. It's it's it's just the things
that you don't even dream of it because you just
don't think it's possible. And being a part of that
group and everything that I learned and everything that I
got to watch and see, it was, yeah, just just
(22:58):
something you can't sort of by so We'll.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Soak it up today.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Mate.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
You deserve this, you deserve the accolade you're getting. You're
getting so many messages coming through, so enjoy today. Hopefully
you make it through your presentation of the Broncos tonight
without falling apart.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
I'm no chance to research. I got to search again.
This is not working.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
To give some new tactics.
Speaker 5 (23:19):
Just stop crying. We love you to bits.
Speaker 4 (23:21):
You will continue to stay with us and do crazy
stuff with us.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
And thank you so much for letting us know first.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
We really appreciate it. Thanks very much, mate. You're listening
to the Robin and Kid podcast.