Corey Oates and wife Tegan have revealed they’re selling their family home in Brisbane, in another massive life change after the former Broncos player announced his retirement from the NRL earlier this month. Oates played 216 NRL games in a stellar career, as well as nine State of Origin games for Queensland.
The 30-year-old had been keen to continue his career, but the writing was on the wall that there was no future in first grade for him at the Broncos. The veteran had been overtaken in the pecking order by Jesse Arthars and Deine Mariner, and the Broncos hadn’t offered him a contract for 2025 under new coach Michael Maguire.
Oates decided to hang up the boots, announcing his decision at the start of October. And just three weeks later, Oates and wife Tegan are selling their family home in the outer Brisbane suburb of Samford Valley.
There’s no suggestion that the decision to sell up is related to Oates’ retirement, but Tegan expressed her sadness over the move because of all the happy family memories they have there. Tegan told realestate.com they’re moving to be closer to their children’s schools now they’re getting older.
“We’d always wanted acreage and the space to be able to build our dream home with a view,” she said. “We wanted to create a great lifestyle home that’s very family oriented. It was always our plan to spend three or four years here then move to be closer to the kids’ schools.
“Coming home to this house is just beautiful, and we have so many great memories of time spent with the kids. We brought our son home to this house, he’s gone from baby to toddler here, and it’s been wonderful to watch the children enjoy this place. They’re the memories we will cherish.”
Corey and Tegan bought the property in 2019 and transformed in into their dream home. Sonya Treloar of Ray White Bridgeman Downs described the six-bedroom ‘country estate’ as “a most magnificent home with the ambience of a country retreat, right on the edge of inner city living.”
Corey Oates’ family revelation amid NRL retirement decision
Speaking earlier this month about his decision to retire, Oates said he didn’t want injuries to affect his post-career life and his ability to play with his kids. “The last 18 months haven’t been kind with my body and my injuries, but it’s my family that are my main priority now and that’s why I’ve made the decision to retire,” he said.
“When you have kids and family, and when you get to that point in your career, you evaluate what’s important – and I want to be part of my kids’ life and do as much as I can with them. I never thought I was going to play one game, let alone over 200. I never wanted to be the person who went one season too many and now is the right time for me to go.”
Oates is as third-highest try scorer in Broncos history, only behind club legends Darren Lockyer and Steve Renouf. “Playing Origin for Queensland and playing for the Broncos – I still have to pinch myself that it all happened for real, but when I got those opportunities, I took them,” he added.
