Selwyn Cobbo opens up about his mental demons as Broncos coach connects with star winger in Cherbourg

It is the image that shapes as the trump card in keeping Selwyn Cobbo at the Broncos. With Michael Maguire by his side, the Brisbane star gives a raw insight into how his birthplace helps him cope with the cutthroat world of the NRL.

Michael Maguire visited Cherbourg with Selwyn Cobbo.

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It is the image that shapes as the trump card in keeping Selwyn Cobbo at the Broncos.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has made a maiden voyage to Cobbo’s birthplace Cherbourg in a bid to bond with the Broncos flyer and understand the bush town that helps the proud Indigenous star cope with the cutthroat world of the NRL.

Ahead of Brisbane’s season opener against the Roosters on Thursday night, Cobbo spoke of the fight to save his career at the Broncos — and the mental demons that forced him out of State of Origin last year.

Despite being one of the code’s hottest backline prospects, the off-contract Cobbo goes into the Roosters clash at Allianz Stadium a free agent and with no formal offer at this stage from the Broncos.

But Maguire insists the Cobbo is a key part of his plans and the most concrete evidence came last week, when the new Broncos coach joined the young backline star in a whirlwind visit to Cherbourg.

Michael Maguire and Selwyn Cobbo at Cherbourg State School.

Maguire stopped into Cherbourg State School, Cobbo’s alma mater before he attended Murgon High, where the Broncos whiz-kid became the first Indigenous school captain in 75 years.

Cobbo has fielded interest from Sydney clubs but whenever the 22-year-old feels the stress of the NRL building, he finds solace visiting family and friends with a quick visit to Cherbourg.

Maguire now fully appreciates what the Indigenous town means to Cobbo, and the role Cherbourg will play in keeping the Maroons matchwinner in Broncos colours.

“I went back home to get away from footy which I like to do when we have a couple of days off,” Cobbo said ahead of Brisbane’s round 1 blockbuster against the Roosters.

Selwyn Cobbo has lost 6kg in preparation for a career-defining year. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“When I go back to my hometown I reconnect with all my family.

“Everyone in Cherbourg is my family, from the little kids all the way to the elders.

“I love going back home. It enables me to refresh the mind, get away from footy and come back with a healthy mindset.

“Then I get straight back into all the hard work.

“They keep me grounded and it puts a smile on my face.

“I am able to take the shoes off and reconnect with my country.”

In turn, the Cherbourg cameo enabled Maguire to connect with Cobbo, who confronts a critical next few months at the Broncos.

There was a view Cobbo had fallen out of favour with the hard-nosed Maguire because of his laid-back style, but the Broncos coach insists that’s not the case, with the parties putting contract talks on hold to ease the pressure valve.

It was a pressure that can be traced back to last June, when Cobbo was sensationally overlooked for Origin II — just weeks after starring off the bench in Queensland’s epic win in Game One in Sydney.

Breaking his silence on his mysterious Origin omission, Cobbo admits he was battling some off-field issues.

“I just wasn’t mentally right at the time,” he said.

Selwyn Cobbo loves reconnecting with his Cherbourg family.

“I needed a break away from footy, and also needed stuff to work on in my game as well.

“I didn’t feel like I was in the best frame of mind to play Game Two, but I was ready for Game Three.

“There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the season.

“The injuries, off-field stuff, I guess I just want to leave all that behind me and focus on this year on playing good footy.”

Cobbo is playing for his future at the Broncos. His centre partner last year, Kotoni Staggs, is on the verge of inking a multi-year extension, raising fears as to whether the Broncos have the salary-cap space to afford Cobbo.

Maguire insists the Broncos can keep both for 2026 and beyond. On the open market, Cobbo could attract offers approaching $1 million a season, money he simply won’t get at Brisbane.

But being close to Cherbourg is priceless and Cobbo concedes he has to prove his worth to the Broncos after a patchy 2024 campaign that netted just six tries from 19 appearances, compared to 20 in Brisbane’s 2023 grand-final campaign.

“Yeah, I guess (he has a point to prove),” he said.

Selwyn Cobbo reveals why he was omitted from the Maroons team last year. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It’s been a big pre-season for me and for all the boys. I’ve trained hard all pre-season and I’m really excited for 2025.”

Asked if he wants to stay at the Broncos, he added: “It’s important that I play good footy and if I get the chance to stay, it would be great, but right now I’m leaving the contract stuff to my manager.

“I loved this club growing up. I have always wanted to play here.

“Ever since I have been at this club from juniors they have done a lot for me — the staff and the players.

“At the moment I am letting my manager sort that out.

“I just want to put the jersey on and have fun.”

Primarily a centre last season, Cobbo has been moved back to the wing by Maguire and he means business.

When the Cherbourg sensation runs onto Allianz Stadium, Roosters players will see a lean-and-mean Cobbo, who has shaved 6kg from his frame and now tips the scales at around 102kg.

“I have dropped quite a bit (of weight) since I started pre-season,” he said.

“I’ve lost about six or seven kilos, so it’s been a long pre-season and I can’t wait to put that jersey on.

“I feel I will be mentally stronger this year. I think I’ll be different from growing up, coming to the Broncos, to now.

“We’ve been doing a lot of team stuff working on the mental side of the game as well. I’ve had to learn that side of the game.

“I’m pretty excited for this year, I’m back on the wing and that’s OK, I don’t mind that.

“I’m happy to put the team before myself.”

There was a view Cobbo had fallen out of favour with the hard-nosed Maguire because of his laid-back style, but the Broncos coach insists that’s not the case, with the parties putting contract talks on hold to ease the pressure valve.

“I loved my time in Cherbourg with ‘Selly’,” Maguire said.

“I have always enjoyed knowing my players and I do it discreetly.

“I loved meeting his family. I want to keep Selwyn and we’re working through it, but I just want him to enjoy playing the game.”