Tensions are rising in Brisbane as a second back-line player appears set to depart the Broncos, while fresh revelations have surfaced about Selwyn Cobbo’s drawn-out situation. The Dolphins’ pursuit of Cobbo remains one of the most talked-about sagas of the mid-season transfer window, with new layers of drama emerging by the day—and the latest update only adds fuel to the fire.
The Dolphins have officially secured Cobbo on a one-year contract beginning in 2026, confirming one of the league’s worst-kept secrets. However, the real drama lies in the present: the Dolphins are still eager to bring Cobbo across immediately, with the June 30 deadline looming. Yet despite discussions behind closed doors, that door appears firmly shut—for now.
According to former Broncos player Denan Kemp, who shared details on SEN radio, Brisbane has made it explicitly clear that they are open to Cobbo leaving early—so long as he doesn’t join one specific club. That club, of course, is the Dolphins. “I got it on good authority that there was only one club the Broncos said ‘you’re not allowed to go to early.’ And it was the Dolphins,” Kemp said.
That revelation comes despite the Dolphins having an urgent need for outside-back depth after Jack Bostock suffered a devastating ACL injury. Cobbo, with his proven Origin pedigree and explosive attacking prowess, would have slotted in seamlessly. But the cross-town rivalry between the Broncos and Dolphins seems to be holding greater weight than player welfare or roster flexibility.
Brisbane’s refusal to allow Cobbo to join their northern neighbours immediately isn’t just strategic—it’s symbolic. Both clubs are fighting for top-eight positions and share the same city, making any friendly dealings almost unthinkable. Broncos coach Michael Maguire, despite demoting Cobbo to reserve grade recently, appears in no mood to aid his club’s fiercest rivals.
Rugby league personality Matty Johns echoed those sentiments, backing Brisbane’s hardline stance. “It’s good to see that rivalry,” he said. “If I’m Madge [Maguire], I wouldn’t let Selwyn go early either. At the end of the day, they’ve got Reece Walsh on one leg—you need to have depth. You can’t let quality players walk out mid-season.”
Cobbo’s recent demotion has done little to shift the Broncos’ stance. Though he’s out of the first-grade squad, the club still sees value in keeping him on deck, especially as injuries continue to test their depth. And while the Dolphins have made cap space available—evidenced by Junior Tupou’s sudden release to the Roosters—Brisbane appears unwavering in its resistance.
Interestingly, multiple clubs reportedly explored the idea of picking up Cobbo before the mid-season cutoff. The Dragons and Cowboys were among those said to have made inquiries. However, the Dragons pulled back on Thursday after it became clear Cobbo had no real intent of relocating from Queensland. Staying in his home state—particularly close to his hometown of Cherbourg—remains a key priority.
The Broncos’ inability to match Cobbo’s market value has likely accelerated his departure plans. Reports suggest Brisbane could only offer him roughly $300,000 for a contract extension—well below what he’s worth. That financial gap, coupled with his benching, likely prompted Cobbo to look elsewhere. Now, with the Dolphins providing a one-year bridge deal, the door remains open for an even bigger payday in 2027 or beyond. Speculation already links him with prospective expansion teams in Perth or PNG.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader praised the move, framing it as part of a long-term build. “The Dolphins have always said we are about continuing to build a roster that will make us one of the top teams in the NRL,” he said. “Selwyn is an accomplished player who has done some amazing things at both Origin and NRL level already. But we believe he has untapped potential.”
Cobbo will join a backline already stacked with star power. Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, and Bostock (when healthy) form one of the competition’s most potent outside-back units. Cobbo’s addition, even for 2026, raises the Dolphins’ ceiling further.
While all eyes remain on Cobbo’s timeline, another significant development is unfolding at Red Hill. Promising young fullback Latrell Siegwalt has reportedly agreed to terms with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The 24-year-old, who’s been lighting up the Queensland Cup, is said to be linking up with Wayne Bennett on a two-year deal starting in 2026.
The Sydney Morning Herald broke the news, highlighting Siegwalt’s potential and frustration with a lack of NRL opportunity. Despite scoring in a pre-season match and standing out at reserve level, he has yet to crack first grade. With Reece Walsh locked into the No.1 jersey and Maguire opting for Cobbo and Jesse Arthars as temporary replacements during injury spells, Siegwalt has remained on the outer.
His move to Souths isn’t without its own challenges. He’ll now find himself behind both Latrell Mitchell and Jye Gray in the pecking order. Yet, the move could offer long-term opportunity if Mitchell departs or transitions into a different role later in his career.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have been quietly reshaping their own roster for the future. Outside back Josiah Karapani, who’s impressed in Cobbo’s absence with four tries in two games, recently inked a two-year extension. The club also confirmed the signing of Grant Anderson from the Melbourne Storm for the 2026 season, and Gehamat Shibasaki has continued to prove himself capable at first grade level in 2025.
All in all, while the Cobbo standoff is stealing headlines, it’s clear the Broncos are undergoing a gradual but calculated backline reshuffle. The Dolphins, for their part, are playing the long game—but with the June 30 window rapidly closing, time is quickly running out for any late twists.
