Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo appears to be edging closer to the exit door at Red Hill, as a string of recent developments suggest the club may be moving on without him. The 23-year-old, once considered a key pillar in the Broncos’ long-term plans, has seen his role diminish rapidly in recent weeks. His demotion to reserve grade, combined with a flurry of roster decisions, has fueled speculation about his future.
The first major blow came when new Queensland coach Michael Maguire dropped Cobbo to the reserves, publicly stating the young gun had areas of his game that needed attention. That move triggered questions about Cobbo’s form, attitude, and readiness to fulfill his immense potential.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Broncos recently made several significant roster moves that seem to indicate Cobbo is no longer central to their plans. Kotoni Staggs was re-signed on a substantial long-term deal—likely consuming a hefty portion of the salary cap. The club also secured the services of Melbourne’s Grant Anderson, who will join Brisbane at the conclusion of the season. Meanwhile, Josiah Karapani, who has filled in for Cobbo on the wing in the last two rounds, was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.
Those decisions, taken collectively, suggest that Brisbane’s leadership sees the future elsewhere, leaving Cobbo on the outer. It’s a rapid fall from grace for a player once touted as a future Origin mainstay and Broncos backline star.
As his place at the Broncos becomes increasingly tenuous, rival clubs have reportedly begun circling. Both the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons are believed to be leading the chase for his signature. Additionally, the Perth Bears—who are looking to build a foundation for their entry into the competition—have been linked with the out-of-favour winger. However, their head coach-in-waiting, rugby league legend Mal Meninga, poured cold water on that speculation.
Speaking to SEN, Meninga clarified the Bears’ position. “I haven’t spoken to Selwyn Cobbo, we’re not even in a position to talk to him,” he said. “We aren’t really established yet. We’re waiting for a board to be selected and announced, then hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to start building the roster.”
Despite being a Queensland representative and former Origin breakout star, Cobbo has experienced a stark downturn. Meninga, who coached him during the State of Origin series, weighed in on the potential reasons for Cobbo’s form slump.
“I’ve found over the years that loss of form doesn’t come from the loss of talent,” Meninga said. “It comes from desire and off-field issues. That’s where I think his career is at the moment—he’s got a few things to solve.”
According to Meninga, one of the major issues Cobbo faces is a lack of motivation. The former Kangaroos and Maroons coach suggested that Cobbo’s struggle isn’t about his ability, but his passion—or lack thereof—for the sport.
“He’s not handling the fame all that well,” Meninga said candidly. “He’s got an issue. He’s not in love with the sport and he has to find that passion again to do what he does really well—and that is play footy.”
Meninga also issued a broader reminder about how fans and media should react when players experience downturns in performance. “I think it’s important when players are struggling in life that people who follow the game are aware of that,” he said. “Support him in the inner sanctum—or we leave him alone if we’re not in it.”
In the meantime, Cobbo has been quietly working on rebuilding his game away from the limelight. After being dropped from the Broncos’ top squad, he returned to the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Brisbane’s feeder team. In his first match, he played at fullback, providing a try assist and notching 107 running metres. In his second appearance, shifted to centre, he crossed for a try and added another 94 metres with ball in hand.
While those performances offer some signs of improvement, Meninga cautioned that the broader issues Cobbo faces go beyond the playing field. He warned of the damaging influence social media can have on young athletes.
“It becomes an addiction—reading about yourself,” he said. “You love the adulation that comes with being high profile. It’s difficult to move away from that. But it’s damaging to young people—and to anyone, really—who loves that scene.”
The picture painted by Meninga is of a supremely talented player caught between expectation and identity. At just 23, Cobbo has already achieved plenty in the NRL. He’s played at the highest levels, scored spectacular tries, and earned praise from legends of the game. But the current trajectory of his career suggests that all the raw talent in the world may not be enough if the passion and focus aren’t there to match.
As the Broncos continue to reshape their roster, it appears increasingly likely that Cobbo will be squeezed out. If a rival club can help him rediscover his love for the game—and shield him from the distractions that have derailed his recent form—they could end up unlocking one of the most naturally gifted backs in the league.
The coming months will be crucial. Whether Cobbo can reignite his career may depend less on what happens on the field, and more on the internal battles he faces off it. His story is a cautionary tale for the modern athlete—where talent, fame, and pressure collide, the mental side of the game has never been more important.
