Why Selwyn Cobbo’s market value will go soaring if he takes Broncos’ fullback jersey from injured Reece Walsh

Selwyn Cobbo faces a brutal interrogation if chosen to replace Reece Walsh at fullback this week - but with rival clubs circling the off-contract star, the rewards are potentially career-defining, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Selwyn Cobbo will face one of the most crucial challenges of his career if asked to revive the Broncos - and cement his own future - with a switch to fullback.

Cobbo is the likely choice to replace injured Reece Walsh against the ladder-leading Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.

It’s a pressurised assignment for all sorts of reasons given the Broncos have lost two in a row, the Bulldogs are ladder leaders and are blessed to have the mega-boot of Matt Burton who can be expected to launch rugby league’s version of a bombing raid the night before Anzac Day.

Cobbo, who switched to fullback when Walsh injured his knee against the Warriors on Saturday, is also off contract at the season’s end and while he is in negotiations with the Broncos for a deal there are many hands in the pie.

The Broncos have prioritised signing centre Kotoni Staggs to an upgraded contract ahead of retaining Cobbo and with Adam Reynolds hoping to play for another year the salary cap is starting to burst at the seams.

If Cobbo is given the No.1 jersey he could enhance his contract value by shining in Walsh’s absence.

A stint at fullback could enhance Selwyn Cobbo’s contract value. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Cobbo’s worth has been a matter of debate which varies depending on his form and fitness.

He is believed to be on $650,000 at the Broncos but Bronco great Corey Parker says Cobbo would be a million dollar player at many clubs.

Cobbo has had a solid season with five ties and 26 tackle busts and 857 running metres from seven games.

A loss to the unbeaten Bulldogs, who have not conceded a point in their last two wins, would leave the Broncos with a mediocre 4-4 record with their next opponent a hungry Penrith team in Magic Round.

Rival clubs will be watching Cobbo closely over the coming weeks. Picture: David Clark

Rival clubs will be watching closely because Cobbo has expressed a fondness to playing in the No.1 jersey and offering him the chance to do so could be a vehicle to lure him away from the Broncos.

There has always been a feeling he would be a difficult player to lure away from Red Hill because he grew up only wanting to play for Brisbane.

His ties with his home town of Cherbourg remain strong and a reason why several Sydney clubs did their homework on potentially offering Cobbo a deal to join them before deciding not to make an offer.

They do not believe he will be lured away from Brisbane.

Three years ago Cobbo had 14 clubs make contact with him trying to entice him away from Brisbane. This time three clubs have reportedly made contact with his management.

Cobbo’s imposing physique makes him a different style of player to many modern fullbacks such as Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and James Tedesco who are smaller and rely more on agility than raw power.