Oates: Croft is Broncos' most important buy of last decade

Corey Oates says Brodie Croft is the Broncos’ most important signing of the last decade after bringing a winning attitude from the Storm.

Oates has been at Red Hill since 2011 when he was an under 20s player and has seen the club sign plenty of big guns, including Anthony Milford, James Roberts and Jack Bird.

The Maroons winger says Croft, who has impressed in both his trial outings, is the right man for the right time and his halves partnership with Milford can be potent.

"I can’t say he’s been our best buy but he’s certainly the most important buy since I’ve been here at the Broncos," Oates told pan66.com.

"As a half he’s just what we need and he gives Milf freedom to play footy. I can those two being a very strong combination.

"He’s been great for us because of the confident way he takes it upon himself to run the plays, and he’s very vocal. That's just the kind of player we needed.

"I also think he is a great mentor for Tom Dearden just because of what he has learned off the players he was around at the Storm.

"I see a lot of Cooper Cronk in him, just with his control and how well he prepares. Brodie’s kicks are on point and us wingers will have a ball underneath them if we contest them."

What has already become clear in Croft’s two trials is he is a threat when he takes on the line and his combination on the right with centre Kotoni Staggs is already looking like another weapon for the Broncos.

Croft combined with Staggs to send winger Xavier Coates over in the corner in the 28-22 loss to the Titans and made a line break that almost resulted on a try on the right edge.

It is also apparent when Croft is playing well, Milford is more of a threat. That was the case early against the Titans when Milford set up a try for Tom Flegler minutes after Croft had made an incision.

"Milf is a freak of a player and I just want to make sure I do my job the best I can, because if I do it will help his game a lot," Croft said.

"It has been a solid pre-season. I feel as though we are getting better and I am coming along better with the team and feeling a part of it now.

"Certainly there’s more [to come from Croft] . I am happy that I have got a few games under my belt wearing a Broncos jersey. There is such a proud history and prestige in it."

Croft said Staggs had given him a clear instruction about what he wanted from his half.

"Staggs is a damaging ball carrier and certainly makes you look good as a halfback. He tells me to get him the ball and he’ll do the rest," Croft grinned.

"It is a young team and a young [right] edge and we have been getting a lot of reps in at training and building that confidence and trust in each other."

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said Croft was "really good" and his kicking game was sound on Saturday night.

"Him and Milford are only going to get better. I’ve liked the look of them. I left them on for about 55 minutes after last week they played half a game together which was another positive step."