Brisbane Broncos

It's this tough love from Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett that has seen Corey Oates go from a lanky country boy to a Queensland Origin player in a matter of 18 months.

Bennett may have not yet complimented Oates since returning to the club in 2015, but the master coach has brought out the best in the 21-year-old, with Oates enjoying his best season and a half of football yet, cementing his position on Brisbane's wing. 

But Bennett is not the only person Oates can thank, with the Baralaba Panthers junior owing a lot to his loving parents Warren and Jeanette. 

This comes after a head knock kept him out of the second half of Friday night's 19-18 NRL Telstra Premiership loss to the Cowboys.

It was carnage on the Brisbane bench, with Corey Parker the sole available interchange at one point in the game's latter stages.

Oates (concussion), hooker Andrew McCullough (shoulder), bench prop Jarrod Wallace (elbow) and centre Jack Reed (head knock) all suffered injury setbacks amid a thrilling, topsy-turvy second half.

Anthony Milford starred for the Broncos, scoring two tries and setting up another as the Broncos ran away with an important win heading into the State of Origin period. 

The Sea Eagles struggled to build any momentum in the match, outclassed by a superior Brisbane outfit that led from start to finish. 

The win sends Brisbane to the top of the NRL ladder and sets up a blockbuster grand final replay when the Broncos meet the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium next Friday. 

Oates missed Australian selection for last Friday's trans-Tasman clash, with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga preferring Parramatta Eel Semi Radradra and Sydney Rooster Blake Ferguson on each wing. 

But it may not be long until Oates gets his chance in the representative arena, with the 21-year-old tipped to make his debut for Queensland come Game One of Origin on June 1 in Sydney. 

The retirement of Broncos legend Justin Hodges and injuries to Queensland backline regulars Billy Slater and Will Chambers has opened the door for Oates to be selected. 

The Titans lost five-eighth Tyrone Roberts to injury during the week then prop David Shillington during the warm-up, and few would have given them much chance of competing with the competition favourites.

Brisbane at one stage led 22-4, but Daniel Mortimer and Zeb Taia got the Titans back into the match, combining twice to get the Gold Coast within six points.

In the end it was the experience of the Broncos side that delivered them the win, with the Brisbane now sitting top of the NRL ladder after tonight's eight-point win.

Norman landed awkwardly on his head right before half time, ending his night, after star recruit and halfback Kieran Foran was a pre-game withdrawal.

The Broncos took a little while to get going but never looked like conceding the game even before Norman was injured, which happened with Brisbane up 14-4.

For the visitors, winger Corey Oates was heavily involved, scoring one try and setting up another, while both halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford worked their way into the match well.

For the home side an aggressive recruitment drive that yielded Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon - and an early piece of silverware that came back with them in excess baggage from the Downer NRL Auckland Nines - has given one of the heartiest home crowds great cause for optimism.

For those cheering on last year's runners-up, a settled roster that has seen the addition of James Roberts to replace the retired Justin Hodges in the centres means the Broncos will carry the tag as premiership favourites into the season opener.

The Broncos announced the decision to make Parker captain on Friday at their Red Hill headquarters, just six days out from their Round 1 clash against Parramatta.

In his 17th season at the club, Parker will now officially take over from the retired Justin Hodges as he looks to guide the side to their first premiership since 2006.

A co-captain with Hodges in 2014, Parker says taking sole responsibility of the job is one of the greatest feelings he has ever had as a player.

"It is the greatest honour of my career. It is top of the tree," Parker said.

The reduction in interchanges, the addition of James Roberts, and the influence of master coach Wayne Bennett make them an attractive proposition when trying to predict this year's premiership winner.