There have been claims that Selwyn Cobbo would never leave Queensland — but the 22-year-old has made it clear that’s not true.
The Brisbane Broncos star has dismissed suggestions he’s unwilling to move away from his hometown of Cherbourg, hinting that he could be open to leaving the club. Cobbo, who has been off-contract for 2026 since last November, is currently a free agent.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has expressed his desire to keep Cobbo, but contract talks have been paused to allow the young gun to focus solely on his performances. However, with big-money contracts already tied up with players like Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, and Ezra Mam, the Broncos might struggle to fit Cobbo into their budget.
The club also faces the task of re-signing Kotoni Staggs, while veteran Adam Reynolds’ recent declaration that he wants to play on in 2026 has added another complication.
While some believe Cobbo would accept a lower salary to stay close to his roots — with Cherbourg located about 265km northwest of Brisbane — the player himself has debunked that theory.
After his standout performance in the Broncos’ 42-18 win over the Bulldogs on Thursday night, Cobbo made it clear that staying near home won’t influence his future club decision.
“Cherbourg is always home, but it’s not going anywhere,” Cobbo said. “I love visiting whenever I can. No matter where I play, I’ll always be able to go back home.”
Cobbo’s superb showing at fullback on Thursday complicates matters further for Brisbane. Filling in for the injured Walsh, Cobbo now has a golden opportunity to boost his value significantly, especially if he maintains his high level of performance.
It’s been suggested that rival clubs could table million-dollar offers for Cobbo — particularly if he’s viewed as a fullback rather than a winger, as fullbacks command much higher salaries.
Expansion teams reportedly eyeing Selwyn Cobbo
New NRL teams set to launch in Perth and Papua New Guinea in 2027 and 2028 are also expected to pursue Cobbo. Many believe he could sign a one-year extension with Brisbane for 2026 before chasing a bigger payday with an expansion club.
“For now, I’m just focusing on playing footy,” Cobbo said. “I’ll let my manager handle everything else. I’m just trying to put in strong performances every week for the team.”
Cobbo, who helped secure a third straight win at fullback on Thursday, said he’s not feeling overwhelmed by the added responsibility.
“It’s just next man up,” he said. “I love pulling on any jersey. It’s not really a big responsibility for me. I just focus on doing my job, organizing the defence, taking my carries, and playing my game.”
