Battle of Brisbane: Selwyn Cobbo magic saves Broncos against Dolphins at Gabba

The ghosts of 2022 may still be haunting the Broncos, but remain on the cusp of securing a drought-breaking NRL finals appearance thanks to superstar winger Selwyn Cobbo.

Selwyn Cobbo scores his hat trick try. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo produced a magic hat-trick at the Gabba to sink the Dolphins 24-16 in another thrilling Battle of Brisbane.

The Broncos are on the cusp of securing a drought-breaking NRL finals appearance after Cobbo’s brilliance buried the defiant Dolphins in Saturday night’s historic blockbuster.

Former Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle celebrated a memorable hat-trick at the Gabba in 2010 and now Cobbo has joined him, albeit in different fashion.

With key players Reece Walsh, Kurt Capewell, Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki sidelined, Cobbo was sublime before 30,606 in the first NRL premiership match at the Gabba.

The Broncos are the first team to register 12 wins this season and another two victories from their final seven games should be enough to deliver Brisbane its first play-offs berth since 2019.

Selwyn Cobbo scores his hat trick try at the Gabba. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

COBBO’S MAGIC SHOW

Cobbo has been troubled by a hip injury which saw him lose his Queensland Origin jersey for game two – but he was back to his brilliant best.

Dolphins rival Tesi Niu will have nightmares about Cobbo following his three-try blitz and 15 runs for 163m, to go with six tackle busts.

Cobbo scored the first and last tries, but it was his 69th minute miracle that proved to be the difference in a thrilling derby battle.

With the Broncos trailing 16-14, Cobbo found himself with the ball on the last tackle and little happening.

He chipped over the Dolphins’ defence from 25m out and showed pure determination to regather the ball and plant it for the match-winning try.

The Broncos needed something special and Cobbo stepped up to the plate to prove he can be Brisbane’s X-factor in their premiership pursuit.

BRONCOS WARMING UP

The ghosts of 2022 may still be haunting the Broncos, but they are doing their best to get rid of them.

Brisbane was coasting to the finals last year before losing five of their last six games to finish ninth.

The Broncos have been patchy in their past three performances and looked in trouble when the Dolphins edged ahead late in the game.

But they rallied on the back of Cobbo’s two tries in the final 11 minutes to secure a crucial win heading into a bye.

“It was much improved,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

“We’ve still got a way to go, but it was important we got back to some of our principles and just got the win.

“We played some good footy at different times and also some not so good.

“Selwyn had a terrific game. We know what he brings to our footy team. His hip has been giving him some grief but that was the freest he’s run.”

DOLPHINS DROWNING

For the fourth game in a row the Phins are down at Redcliffe.

The Dolphins haven’t sung their team song since beating the dreadful Dragons on May 25 at Kayo Stadium.

This was their best effort since suffering heavy losses to the Warriors, Sea Eagles and Eels, but it wasn’t enough to get the job done.

Losing key backrower Felise Kaufusi to a head knock in the first half didn’t help and the Dolphins mounted a spirited comeback, but fell short as Cobbo struck the decisive blows.

Sitting 11th with a 7-9 record, if the Dolphins can’t beat the Titans without Gold Coast’s four Origin stars next Sunday then their finals hopes may be all but gone.

“It was pretty gusty to stay in the game really, with the way we’ve played the last couple of weeks,” Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said.

“I was pleased with their effort.

“(Cobbo) is one of those players with that bit of magic. That always helps.”

Match Highlights 🎥 - #NRLBroncosDolphins

A Selwyn Cobbo hatrick led the Broncos to an importnat 24-16 victory over the Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/1a5ptD7zcU

— NRL (@NRL) July 1, 2023

MARSHALL-KING MAGIC

The Dolphins are a completely different team when No. 9 Jeremy Marshall-King is conducting the show.

Marshall-King has barely been sighted in the past month due to a nagging shoulder injury, but he returned with a bang at the Gabba.

The crafty Kiwi’s dummy-half decision-making was exquisite, punctuated by his 64th minute try to edge the Dolphins ahead for the first time.

He deserved a win in his return but it wasn’t to be.

HERBIE HAUNTS DOLPHINS

Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth showed why the Dolphins will make him one of their highest-paid players next year.

Farnworth terrorised rugby convert Valynce Te Whare with a first half double to help Brisbane to a 14-6 at the break.

His footwork and ball-carrying was too much for Te Whare and the Dolphins’ retreating defence to contain and he will be a real strike weapon when he moves to Redcliffe next year with Flegler.

NO WALSH IS A WORRY

The Broncos copped a huge blow when Walsh received a three-game suspension at the NRL judiciary this week for using foul language towards a referee.

And it was clear Brisbane’s attack wasn’t the same without their dynamic No. 1 chiming into the backline.

Playmakers Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam looked clunky without Walsh as a third option to trouble the opposition defence.

Fill-in fullback Tristan Sailor performed admirably but doesn’t have the explosive speed of Walsh.

Sailor, son of Broncos great Wendell Sailor, was fabulous in his club debut against the Warriors last month and backed it up with another classy showing.

Sailor produced a slick pass for Cobbo to open scoring and has a deft kicking game that proves he is a handy back-up for Maroons star Walsh.

BATTLE OF BEAUTY

The Battle of Brisbane has quickly become the NRL’s most exciting rivalry.

The two derbies this season have produced two of the NRL’s best games all year.

The Broncos got the chocolates 18-12 at Suncorp Stadium in round 4 and snuck home again at the Gabba.

This is a genuine rivalry that’s here for the long haul.

It’s a shame we may have to wait until next year before they meet again – unless they can conjure an unlikely finals blockbuster.

Originally published as Battle of Brisbane: Selwyn Cobbo magic saves Broncos against Dolphins at Gabba