LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Kevin Walters has raised concerns about the Brisbane Broncos' treatment of Selwyn Cobbo, suggesting the club is effectively pushing him out as he faces uncertainty regarding his future.
Cobbo has struggled to secure a spot in coach Michael Maguire's plans for the 2025 season and has been placed in the reserves after a challenging start.
Reports indicate he will not play against the Sharks this weekend, exacerbated by the Broncos opting to extend contracts for key players like captain Adam Reynolds, centre Kotoni Staggs, and hooker Blake Mozer.
Currently earning around $650,000, Cobbo's future has become precarious amid the club's salary cap issues.
The Broncos have yet to offer him a new deal, choosing instead to prioritize other players for extensions.
This situation prompted observations from Penrith legend Greg Alexander, who stated, "They don't want him, do they? They've shown they're not that keen on keeping him," suggesting the coaching staff might only consider keeping Cobbo if he agrees to a substantial pay cut.
Walters echoed these sentiments, noting that the message from the Broncos appears clear: "That's fine (re-signing other players) but they're virtually squeezing him out of the club, that's their message." He further elaborated on Cobbo's potential, pointing out, "You can't expect someone to stay and play on half price, can you?" He reminisced about discussions earlier in the year estimating Cobbo's worth at around a million dollars, emphasizing that the young talent is versatile enough to excel as a centre, winger, or fullback.
Thus, as Cobbo's standing within the team dwindles and more contracts are secured by other players, his future with the Broncos remains uncertain at best.