Teen sensation Selwyn Cobbo ready to give Broncos a selection headache
Selwyn Cobbo has catapulted into the frame to be Brisbane’s fullback — would he make your 2022 line-up? Check out the potential Broncos 17 and have your say.
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Boom Broncos youngster Selwyn Cobbo says he’s hungry for success next season to wash away the bitter taste of defeat in the Intrust Super Cup grand final against Norths.
The Wynnum Manly fullback was one of the best on the ground in the decider in Redcliffe on Sunday but was on the wrong end of the scoreboard as the Devils triumphed 16-10.
The 19-year-old ran for a game-high 274m and made a monster 18 tackle breaks, leaving nothing in the tank in his first Intrust Super Cup grand final.
Skipper Sam Scarlett praised Cobbo’s efforts in keeping the Seagulls within striking distance of the trophy with his freakish kick-return running and his well-deserved try.
The loss has stoked the fire inside Cobbo to return to the grand final arena – either with Wynnum Manly or the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.
“It’s been a big year for me,” Cobbo said.
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“I started the year with Wynnum and I got to finish the year with Wynnum.
“The grand final was … a good experience but there’s definitely more to come – a lot more to come.
“I want some more of this (grand final appearances), that’s for sure.
“We knew Norths were going to be a tough team to beat and they showed up and proved that.”
Cobbo will now enjoy a six-week break before jumping straight back into Broncos pre-season training in November, along with the club’s newcomers and rookies.
The teen sensation shapes as a powerful fullback option for Kevin Walters’ 2022 squad alongside Tesi Niu and Jamayne Isaako.
Another option is slotting in at centre where Cobbo played four NRL games this year, including the round 25 match against Newcastle when he lit up Suncorp Stadium with a stunning 80m intercept try.
The Cherbourg product produced another quality try in Sunday’s Intrust Super Cup grand final, scoring in front of his family and friends who had travelled from his hometown to cheer him on.
Is this the best Broncos 17 for 2022? Have your say — and select your line-up — in the comments.
Devils break 23-year drought in grand final thriller
By Chris Honnery
As they’ve shown all season, the Devils are simply hellish to beat.
In a thrilling Intrust Super Cup grand final clash at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe, Norths Devils broke their 23-year premiership drought by downing the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 16-10 in front of 7264 vocal spectators.
With scores locked at 10-all with six minutes left, Norths’ try-scoring machine Jon Reuben came up with the play of the day to catch a swirling high ball kicked by teammate Jack Ahearn.
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After a number of frantic offloads and a grubber kick by playmaker Connor Broadhurst, man-of-the-match Michael Molo dived on the ball to score the matchwinning try.
Emotional Norths coach Rohan Smith said winning an Intrust Super Cup premiership with the Devils meant everything.
“I’m just so proud of our whole squad, club, everyone who has contributed,” Smith said.
“I don’t know if there’s another word other than to say I’m proud and I just love this club and everyone involved.
“It does (mean a lot).
“I love coaching and I love being a part of a club.
“It’s what I live for. I live for my family and the footy club.
“The game could have gone either way and (Wynnum Manly) are a great team. It had to go one way and fortunately we just hung in there and found a great try at the end.”
The Devils were in heaven but for the Seagulls it was heartbreak for the second premiership decider in a row.
After losing to Burleigh in 2019, the Seagulls were determined to make amends.
And they had everything to play for — a chance to avenge that grand final loss, to showcase their young NRL talent and also to honour the passing of their former captain Mitch Cronin.
Instead, they came up against a dominant Norths side, who set the pace all season to claim the minor premiership.
The Seagulls did well to go into the halftime break trailing 10-6 after Norths dominated the half in attack with the help of a gusty breeze at their backs.
But they failed to make the most of the breeze in the second half as the Devils’ defence held on doggedly.
Former Gold Coast Titan and New Zealand Warriors player Leivaha Pulu was first to score in the decider, barging over in the seventh minute to give the Devils the early lead.
Halfback Tyrone Roberts extended that advantage to 10-nil with a try in the 32nd minute.
Teen sensation Selwyn Cobbo hit back soon after, scoring in his first Intrust Super Cup grand final, and — more importantly — cutting the deficit to four points at halftime.
Cobbo’s ability to bring the ball out of his own tryline was a sight to see and a promising sign of even better things to come for the Broncos youngster.
It was all defence for the next half an hour as both sides tried to break the 10-6 deadlock before Wynnum Manly winger David Mead went over on the left edge to tie up the game at 10-all.
A 73rd-minute field goal attempt from Seagulls five-eighth Jack Campagnolo missed and Molo’s try in the 73rd minute sealed the result.
SEAGULLS STAR REVEALS SECRET MOTIVATION
Wynnum Manly skipper Sam Scarlett will run out in Sunday’s Intrust Super Cup grand final motivated by their 2019 premiership loss but also a desire to honour the passing of his good friend Mitch Cronin.
Ahead of Sunday’s premiership decider between the Devils and the Seagulls at Moreton Daily Stadium, Scarlett has spoken of the motivations behind their title push in 2021.
The entire rugby league community was rocked in April 2020 following the tragic passing of Cronin at his parents’ home in Brisbane.
Cronin played 108 Intrust Super Cup games during his rugby league career, with stints at Souths Logan Magpies and Wynnum Manly as well as spending time in the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos systems.
Scarlett said the passing of Cronin was a big blow for many who knew him and Sunday’s premiership decider will be a chance to honour the former Seagulls captain.
“A few of us who knew Mitch well, we keep him close to our heart,” Scarlett said.
“It does get touched on around the club.
“We’ve got a new squad now so a few of those boys who didn’t really know him have bought into it as well.
“They know how close he was to all of us and they want to be in the moment with us as well.
“It’s a massive motivation for everyone.”
Cronin captained the Seagulls to the last Intrust Super Cup grand final in 2019, when they went down 28-10 against the Burleigh Bears – a result many of the Wynnum Manly players are eager to make amends for on Sunday.
Now, Scarlett will lead his side out onto Moreton Daily Stadium and the halfback admitted it was a privilege to get to do so in place of his good mate Cronin.
“It will be a proud moment for me,” he said of captaining the grand final side on Sunday.
“Mitch was our skipper in 2019 and sort of still is in my eyes.
“To lead the boys out in his honour would be massive.
“Hopefully we get to lift the trophy for him and all of his friends and family who are here as well.”
Busloads of fans are set to fill the stands of a 75 per cent capacity stadium – in line with current Covid restrictions – including many from the small town of Cherbourg.
Star Seagulls fullback Selwyn Cobbo has secured around 20 tickets for his family and friends to travel down from his hometown, with many hundred more set to cheer him on from home.
“There’ll probably be a whole town coming down to watch,” Cobbo said.
“It will be good to have them here to support me.”
JOURNEYMAN DEVIL PLAYING FOR NRL FUTURE IN GRAND FINAL
—Chris Honnery, Peter Badel
Devils winger Nene Macdonald is on the cusp of landing a Broncos deal in a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Intrust Super Cup grand final.
Macdonald is preparing to play in Sunday’s blockbuster premiership decider against Wynnum Manly at Moreton Daily Stadium and has a chance to impress for a train and trial contract at Red Hill for the upcoming pre-season.
The 27-year-old has played 98 NRL games for the Roosters, Titans, Dragons, Cowboys and Sharks and now has the chance to add the Broncos to his list of clubs.
Covid interruptions has meant Macdonald has played three games for Norths Devils since linking up with them earlier this year, but the move has paid off with the outside back to add an Intrust Super Cup grand final appearance to his resume.
Asked about his playing future beyond Sunday’s grand final, Macdonald said: “If I keep playing like this, I’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.”
A Broncos deal would represent a lifeline for the former Queensland Emerging Origin squad member, who was sacked by the Cowboys in 2019 following an off-field indiscretion.
Broncos football boss Ben Ikin confirmed coach Kevin Walters had spoken with Macdonald about a potential train-and-trial contract.
“We have some train and trial contracts to give out, so Kevvie meets with each of the affiliate clubs just to talk through who they are looking at for a train and trial contracts,” Ikin said.
“Norths have put forward Nene‘s name for a train and trial contract, so Kevvie was keen to catch up with him.
“It could potentially eventuate. Kevvie is talking to him and Norths are keen, so depending on what opportunities Nene has got, then there is every chance he lands one, yes.
“If someone is prepared to give the best of themselves, it‘s not a huge opportunity, but it’s an opportunity and if he shows us his best, who knows what comes of it.
“We have multiple train and trial contracts across the three affiliates, so guys like Nene will be hungry for an opportunity.”
Macdonald said he made the move back to Queensland in July to be closer to family and never imagined getting the opportunity to play in a grand final this year.
“I wanted to come back here to Queensland to be closer to family,” he said.
“(Devils coach Rohan Smith) gave me a shot and I grabbed it with both hands.
“I’m excited to be playing in the Queensland Cup actually.
“I’ve only played three games and now I’m playing a final so it’s all been pretty exciting.
“If you told me a couple months ago, I would’ve thought you were crazy.”
Macdonald will bookend the Devils on-field line-up with try-scoring machine Jon Reuben on Sunday afternoon in a dangerous wing combination.
Reuben has proven to be unstoppable close to the tryline with the 187cm winger scoring 108 tries across 105 games.
GUN ROOKIE’S CHANCE TO MAKE MARK ON GRAND STAGE
—Chris Honnery
Wynnum Manly youngster Selwyn Cobbo has been likened to NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Greg Inglis but the teenage sensation admits he wants to make a name for himself.
Cobbo is preparing for his first Intrust Super Cup grand final on Sunday in a year which has seen the 19-year-old enjoy a meteoric rise.
The talented fullback began the season hoping to play one game of Intrust Super Cup. Instead he has gone on to play not only nine games for Wynnum Manly but make his NRL debut and suit up in seven games for the Brisbane Broncos.
The Cherbourg product has a similar running style to that of Mitchell and the build of a young Inglis. While he is honoured to have his name mentioned alongside them, he said he wanted to carve out a career in his own right.
“Growing up, my idol was GI – Greg Inglis,” Cobbo said.
“I idolised how he played on the field and also what he did off the field. I’m pretty honoured to be compared to one of the greatest but I’m also trying to make a name for myself.”
The two best teams in this year’s Intrust Super Cup will battle it out for the premiership at Moreton Daily Stadium following a Covid-interrupted season.
Minor premiers the Norths Devils have made one change to their preliminary final squad, with Broncos young gun Brendan Piakura ruled out after suffering concussion last week.
The Seagulls have named an unchanged side following their 40-18 demolition of Tweed in their preliminary final.
The two clubs have played just the once this year, with the Devils winning 24-16 in Round 16, but both sides were without their Broncos affiliates because of the NRL’s Covid bubble.
With Brisbane’s season over, the Seagulls will field five Broncos on Sunday while the Devils have named Danny Levi as their dummy-half for the decider.
Devils winger Nene Macdonald said he was looking forward to the contest.
“They’re going to be tough,” Macdonald said. “Selwyn is a real talent.
“The whole team is a very experienced team and I can’t wait to play them.
“This is what you train all year for, to play teams like this and you want to play the best and the two best teams are going to play each other on the weekend.”
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