Broncos and Maroons legend Wally Lewis says Brisbane's coaching staff is showing a lack of "common-sense" for keeping winger Xavier Coates out of the team.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters yet again left Coates on the sidelines ahead of the club's derby clash with the Cowboys in round 20.
Coates, who is set to join the Melbourne Storm in 2022, hasn't been seen in a Broncos jersey since starting on the wing for Queensland in Game Three of this year's State of Origin series.
The Broncos have won just four games in 2021 and have a points difference of -260, which is second-worst behind the Bulldogs. Walters and new head of football Ben Ikin seem intent on building towards next year with the players that will be at the club and have been one of the more active teams in the player market.
According to Lewis, playing the best players at the club for the remainder of the season can still benefit their future by building confidence, and other players who left other teams in the past to join the Broncos weren't treated as harshly as Coates has been.
"I'm not being critical of those who made the judgements to push him to the side but to me if you're coaching for your players confidence and confidence in the club you've got to produce your best team on the field," Lewis told Wifde World of Sports' QLDER.
"There have been a lot of players who have given up clubs to come to the Broncos and I'm sure they weren't handed the slap across the face."
It is understood the Storm approached Brisbane in recent weeks about a swap deal after rumours circulated that Coates would not be selected again this season.
Melbourne offered to send Brenko Lee to the Broncos early in return for Coates. Brisbane had already announced the Storm centre would join them next season, and Melbourne officials were open to speeding up the deal. However, the Broncos knocked back the request and insisted the snubbed star will be selected on merit for the remainder of the year. The Storm are expected to re-visit the swap deal closer to the August 1 deadline.
The Roosters also reached out to the Broncos about Coates' availability, amid a mounting injury toll to their backline. The Tri-colours have reshuffled their team constantly this year and losing outside backs Matt Ikuvalu and Billy Smith on the weekend only intensified the situation. The Broncos again rejected any plans to move the Origin winger.
Adding more intrigue to the winger's predicament is the early departure of Tevita Pangai Jr, with the Broncos happy to let the forward join Penrith before moving to the Bulldogs next year. The club is also open to moving Anthony Milford early because they can save a considerable amount of money on his contract if they can facilitate an early move. Lewis said the decision to leave Coates on the sidelines is highly questionable.
"I know it's tough to be critical of the decision that Kevvie and his coaching staff made but when you've got a player that boasts those skills it's just not common sense to waste it," Lewis said.
"The Broncos are playing for a bit of pride it's not worth as much as a premiership there's no doubt about that but [they're playing] for the players confidence."
Walters last week declared Coates would "get a game again for the Broncos in the near future", but the Broncos coach went with Corey Oates and Jamayne Isaako on the wings this week.
With just a handful of rounds left to be played this season, it's highly likely that Broncos fans have the seen the last of Coates in a Brisbane jersey.
"I still think he's one of the best wingers we have at the Broncos and I love to see him playing footy," fellow Broncos great Sam Thaiday added on QLDER.
"I know that he's leaving the club at the end of the year but at the time being we have to save face and start winning some games."
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-wally-lewis-calls-for-xavier-coates-brisbane-broncos-return/2e30a46f-3547-4fd6-97ed-2a19a0643196
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