Corey Parker, a Brisbane Broncos legend, is concerned that the club might lose Selwyn Cobbo to a rival team following his impressive performance at fullback during Magic Round. Filling in for the injured Reece Walsh, Cobbo excelled against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, amassing 228 running metres and 11 tackle breaks, earning the maximum six Dally M votes.
With Cobbo and his centre partner Kotoni Staggs eligible to negotiate with other clubs from November 1st, Parker worries that the Broncos might not be able to match lucrative offers from competitors, risking the loss of one or both players.
“A club unlike the Broncos might offer him a seven-figure deal to be their number one,” Parker mentioned on SENQ Mornings. He added that Cobbo’s standout performance at fullback has put him in the spotlight, making it difficult for the Broncos to retain him if other clubs offer significant money for his versatility.
Despite Cobbo’s contentment with playing centre and his happiness at the Broncos, Parker noted, “money does strange things.”
Parker compared Cobbo to Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu, emphasizing the challenge for the Broncos to keep Cobbo engaged when he moves back to the centres. “He’s Brisbane’s version of Joey Manu,” Parker said. He highlighted Cobbo’s impressive involvement and numbers when given the chance at fullback and pondered how the team could continue to utilize Cobbo’s talents when he returns to the centres.
This season, Cobbo has averaged 139 run metres and 5.6 tackle breaks in the centres, which is significantly lower than his fullback stats. While fullback positions seem settled across the NRL, Cobbo’s abilities would make him highly sought after by teams struggling to reach the finals.
With Reece Walsh expected to return for Round 12, Cobbo will likely shift back to the centres for the game against the Titans.
