‘Far from a perfect match': Reasons behind Cobbo's likely exit as huge Broncos question raised

News.com.au

6 hours ago

Selwyn Cobbo's career is at the crossroads.
The prodigiously talented 23-year-old, who has already represented his state six times, is almost guaranteed to leave the Broncos at the end of this season, if not sooner.
Without a contract for 2026 and currently toiling away in Queensland Cup having been usurped by Josiah Karapani in first grade, the Broncos are only able to offer Cobbo around $300,000 next season – half of his current salary.
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Sensing blood in the water, the Cowboys contacted Cobbo's camp to inquire about the possibility of joining the club before next week's June 30 mid-season transfer deadline. Brisbane rejected that move.
The Dragons are another team to have shown real interest in Cobbo, even meeting with him in Sydney but the two parties couldn't come to an initial agreement on the contract terms. The Red V remain very much in the hunt though for Cobbo's signature from 2026.
The NRL360 panel debated why the Broncos wouldn't just let Cobbo go given he isn't in first grade and can only be offered half of what he's on now.
'What I can't understand is that if the club doesn't want to play him, and he doesn't have a contract for next year and he's got an opportunity to go elsewhere, why hold him back?' foxsports.com.au's Paul Crawley said.
'You can only think that the only sense it makes is that don't want to give another team a leg-up.
'If they're going to lowball him, let him go now.
'Is it that big a burden to release him?'
Veteran journalist Andrew Webster made a case for why the Broncos would want to hold onto him for the rest of the season.
'He's a quality player, if you're going to make a run at the finals, you want some back up in the outside backs and he's quality,' Webster said.
There have been rumblings that Brisbane coach Michael Maguire's decision to axe Cobbo wasn't down to just form on the field, but because he's lost his love of the game and a question mark on whether he's in the right frame of mind to be playing NRL.
Cobbo has reportedly looked unhappy at Red Hill. Just last week, it was reported that he may consider walking away from rugby league altogether.
NRL360 host Braith Anasta shed some light on this.
'There's so much I've heard around him,' Anasta said.
'All I've heard out of Brisbane is that he's got a few issues, he doesn't love the game, he gets homesick, there's some games he doesn't want to play. Reasons that other players wouldn't make up.'
'The point is if the Broncos have realised that and if there is an opportunity to go elsewhere, why hold him back?' Crawley interjected.
'Two weeks ago they wore those black jerseys for mental health. Do you just wear the jerseys or do you live it?
'If there's an opportunity where he thinks he can go and have a better career and pick himself up, let him do it.
'There's no question Selwyn has to take some ownership here, but if it's not working for him, and they've obviously decided they want to keep him but for half the wage, it's not going to work out.'
PLAYING UNDER MADGE
Earlier in the year, Maguire travelled to Cobbo's home town of Cherbourg, which is where Cobbo retreats to at times throughout the season to deal with the rigours of NRL life.
'I loved my time in Cherbourg with 'Selly',' Maguire said back in March.
'I have always enjoyed knowing my players and I do it discreetly.'
It was a move designed to improve the relationship between Cobbo and Maguire.
Cobbo even said at the time that he was really excited for the season on the back of a big pre-season under Maguire.
Something has changed though. Cobbo is clearly disenchanted at the Broncos.
Crawley suggested that Maguire's hard-nosed approach could have played a role.
'When Madge Maguire and his reputation as a hard arse signed with the Broncos, of all the players you thought may struggle under Madge, Selwyn would have been the top of my list,' Crawley said.
Anasta agreed, saying: 'When Madge signed on as head coach, I thought they're far from a perfect match in terms of Cobbo and Maguire.
'The way that Selwyn trains, plays, and the way that Maguire coaches. Now less than a year, it looks like the relationship is over.
'I'd love to hear from Brisbane why they didn't let him go (to the Cowboys).'
FUTURE AT FULLBACK?
Another potential reason behind Cobbo's reported disillusionment could stem from the lack of opportunity at his preferred position.
Webster referenced the infamous podcast Cobbo appeared on in early 2023 where he labelled then-Brisbane coach Kevin Walters a 'good person' but said 'I don't think he's a good coach'.
Webster said there were other nuggets in that podcast interview, including Cobbo stating his desire to play fullback.
'When I think about Selwyn, I think about the podcast he made comments about Kevin Walters. I was one of the three people who listened to that entire podcast and he made a really telling statement, 'I want to play fullback',' Webster said.
'I remember before Reece Walsh we thought it was a shootout between Reece and Selwyn Cobbo before Reece made that jersey his own.
'You said he has G.I (Greg Inglis) all over him so I'd love to see Selwyn Cobbo find his love of the game again and go and play fullback somewhere and kill it.'
With Walsh starring at the back since 2023 Cobbo hasn't really had the chance to wear the No. 1 jersey.
That was until this season, with Cobbo called upon to play four games at fullback while Walsh was out injured.
It was the best Cobbo has looked all season. At times, he was a world beater, particularly in Brisbane's shock thrashing of the top-of-table Bulldogs.
After four games at fullback, Cobbo was shifted back to the wing in place of Jesse Arthars and after an embarrassing loss to Manly he was then axed.
He hasn't appeared in first grade since then.
WHERE COULD HE GO?
At this stage, the Cowboys and Dragons are the two favourites to sign Cobbo for next season.
That is, of course, the 23-year-old elects to play on.
There appears to be mutual interest between Cobbo and the Cowboys but nothing has yet to eventuate, with North Queensland hoping to land Cobbo before June 30 because the club is dealing with an injury crisis in the outside backs.
Cobbo's preference is to stay in south east Queensland to be close to his home town of Cherbourg, but he has been on the record in the past saying he's willing to move.
On his best form, Cobbo is worth every cent of his current $650,000 deal, but given the current situation, will a team be willing to pay that?
Another crinkle to consider is whether Cobbo will more likely sign with a club if he's given the chance to play fullback.
The Cowboys seemed to be set with Scott Drinkwater, who is signed until 2027, although his form of late has been ordinary.
The Dragons on the other hand have veteran Clint Gutherson at the back, also under contract until 2027, but Crawley believes Gutherson could move into the halves.
'They have got Gutho but he could potentially move into the halves, who knows? He could also play centre,' Crawley said.