‘Can get $1m a season’: Broncos spark ‘mind-blowing’ Selwyn Cobbo bidding war

The Brisbane Broncos are facing the prospect of losing a Queensland rep star, kicking off a multimillion-dollar bidding war.

Queensland Origin representative winger Selwyn Cobbo is set to kick off a multimillion-dollar bidding war after it was revealed the Brisbane Broncos hadn’t tabled him a fresh offer.

The Courier Mail has reported the Broncos have just six weeks to lock down the versatile back before he becomes a free agent on November 1.

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Cobbo reportedly would rather stay at the Broncos, but could potentially join the NRL’s millionaire’s club if he tests his value.

It’s set to expose the Broncos’ salary cap issues as the club is still trying to upgrade the contracts of Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs.

Cobbo, who is reportedly on $625,000 this season, has already represented Queensland six times and debuted for Australia in Pacific Championship in 2023.

While the flyer has lined up for most of his 68 matches for the Broncos on the wing, he has also proved to be a versatile backline weapon shifting to the centres for the 2024 season and filling in at fullback when required.

Will Selwyn Cobbo be on his bike? Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Former Broncos captain Corey Parker said Cobbo is “a superstar in the making” and it might be worth his while to test the market.

“If Selwyn goes to the open market, he can get around $1 million a season. That’s the reality,” Parker said.

“If the Broncos haven’t made Cobbo an offer yet, I find that mind-blowing.

“Clubs tend to forecast their salary caps years in advance and I’m sure the Broncos have been preparing for this. They knew this period was coming with Staggs and Selwyn (set to become free agents).

“The issue for me is how do the Broncos afford to keep Cobbo and Staggs? The Broncos already have guys like Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh and Payne Haas on big-money deals.

“Often clubs pay on potential … and Selwyn’s potential is untapped.”

The decision between Staggs and Cobbo may have been complicated by the former’s performances in the latter stages of the season, where he was among the Broncos’ best as the season spiralled to ultimately finish 12th on the ladder.

Cobbo on the other hand had just six tries from 19 appearances — well down from his last two seasons (15 in 2022, 20 in 2023) — as well as two try assists.

However, he continued to be a metre eater. Although less than his 2023 season where he averaged 147m per match, Cobbo made 133m per game and still made 15 linebreaks for the year.

Selwyn Cobbo could attract $1m a season on the open market. Picture: Liam Kidston

Cobbo has also made some waves while at the Broncos.

Between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Cobbo admitted he had walked out on a match after he was stood down for fatigue late in the year “because we were getting flogged”.

Cobbo also told to the Back of the 135 podcast that coach Kevin Walters “is a good person, like a good bloke but I don’t think he’s a good coach” which sparked a wave of criticism.

The Broncos have been good to Cobbo as well, giving the youngster time off to visit friends and family in his hometown of Cherbourg over the four seasons he’s been in the NRL.

Cobbo was also at the centre of an Origin drama after he was dropped for Game 2 despite starring off the bench in Queensland’s Game 1 victory.

It was later revealed Cobbo had been playing with injections and was out injured. He returned to the side for Game 3.

Parker said that it could make a move to a Sydney club difficult.

“Selwyn needs to be at a club that can nurture him and comfort him,” he said.

“I don’t know Selwyn well, but I think he needs some stability in his football and life.

“Selwyn is a bit of a different personality, but if he went on the market, there would be a stack of clubs throwing good money at him.”

Originally published as ‘Can get $1m a season’: Broncos spark ‘mind-blowing’ Selwyn Cobbo bidding war