Countless surgeries throughout his career have seemingly taken a toll on Oates, and he has been kept to just 23 games in the past two seasons as Selwyn Cobbo, Jesse Arthars, Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani have jumped over him in the outside-back pecking order.

Oates’ potential farewell game comes after Kotoni Staggs was ruled out to nurse a quad strain, and will be joined in the casualty ward by Payne Haas, whom Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed would go in for foot surgery on Tuesday.

But when asked if this would be a swan song for Oates, Walters said that was not necessarily the case.

“I’m not sure about a farewell game, but he’s in the last game of the year here, and it’s good to see him back,” Walters said.

“He’s been a great player for the club – particularly tomorrow night I think, with the way the Storm play he’ll be great for us out of yardage, and nice and strong in defence.

“That [whether he will be here next year] is something for post-game; we still haven’t sorted our roster for next year across the board.

“Oatsey’s keen, it’s the best he’s felt in a month, so we’re looking forward to watching him do his stuff.”