Selwyn Cobbo, a former outside back for the Brisbane Broncos and now shining with the Dolphins, nearly signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Reports indicate that Cobbo, who left the Broncos at the end of 2025 after struggling for playing time, had a lucrative long-term offer from the Dragons.
At that point, it was suggested that the Dragons were among several clubs eyeing the experienced Origin player, despite him being out of form and favor.
Multiple Sydney clubs showed interest, yet the details of the Dragons' proposal have now surfaced, with News Corp indicating it was valued at approximately $900,000 annually over four years.
Believed to be in the final stages of negotiations, Cobbo even traveled south to confer with the Dragons' executives. However, discussions fell through, leading him to opt for a one-year deal with the Dolphins at a significantly reduced salary.
The Dolphins had been interested in Cobbo since the initial stages of his decline at the Broncos, but they couldn't match the financial power of Sydney clubs like the Dragons.
Against the odds, the Dolphins managed to secure a one-year contract, although Cobbo hasn't yet committed to his future beyond 2026 as he seeks to regain his top-grade form.
Whether he can maintain his position in the competitive Dolphins backline is uncertain. Nevertheless, Cobbo's impressive performance at Redcliffe has led to speculation about a potential State of Origin comeback.
His manager, Tas Bartlett, noted that Kristian Woolf's environment has been perfect for the Cherbourg native.