Broncos cap issues will see in-demand Cobbo speak to suitors

Time’s ticking fast on the Brisbane Broncos’ hopes of retaining Selwyn Cobbo, with the boom young gun now less than four weeks away from being able to speak to rival NRL clubs for any deal in 2026 and beyond.

Cobbo, 22, may well be one of the sacrifices Kevin Walters and the Broncos have to make as they try to wrangle their salary cap amid several younger players earning huge upgrades, with bonafide superstars Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs also looking to earn extra on their next deals—whether that’s at Red Hill or elsewhere in the league.

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The Broncos are privately confident they can keep all three if they find the sweetspot pay-wise, The Sporting Base understands, but fullback Walsh and superstar centre Staggs remain the priority for Brisbane management should it come down to a choice.

The biggest split is Cobbo and Staggs; both are worth around $700,000 in the modern market.

Should Cobbo head to the open market and spruik his wares though, he could command as much as $1 million at another club. His ability to play fullback, wing, and centre is an added bonus there. There’s also the matter of the 22-year-old’s preference: The Cherbourg junior will want a crack at the number one jumper somewhere before long.

The Sydney Roosters have been very interested in Cobbo for some time now, seeing the State of Origin star as a ready-made replacement for outgoing centres duo Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i and Joey Manu. The St George Illawarra Dragons are similarly interested, though Shane Flanagan likes Cobbo more for his fullback skills.

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It’s understood Cobbo’s preference is to stay at Red Hill, especially due to family, though a club willing to offer him a wing or fullback spot could eventually prove to tempting a lure for the young gun.