Selwyn Cobbo set for Broncos recall in Round 18 after his immediate move to the Dolphins was blocked

Dolphins-bound Selwyn Cobbo could make a shock return for the Broncos in Round 18 after the club blocked his immediate transfer to their arch-rivals.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire could issue an SOS to exiled star Selwyn Cobbo for Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs after blocking his immediate transfer to arch-rivals the Dolphins.

This masthead can reveal Cobbo was a late scratching from feeder club Wynnum Manly for Sunday’s Queensland Cup clash - ironically against the Dolphins - as Maguire places the fallen flyer on standby for the Bulldogs blockbuster.

The Cobbo development comes as skipper Adam Reynolds put NRL rivals on notice, declaring Brisbane are charging towards the top four as they look to break a 19-year title drought.

Cobbo dropped a Broncos bombshell on Friday, revealing he was quitting the club at season’s end after inking a one-year deal with River City rivals Redcliffe for 2026.

The former Queensland Origin star has spent the past three weeks languishing in reserve grade and he was due to turn out for the Seagulls at Kougari Oval against the Dolphins club he will join next season.

But Maguire ordered Cobbo to be withdrawn at the eleventh hour, placing him in cotton wool in the event he is required to travel to Sydney for the round 18 showdown with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

A year ago, Cobbo was at Homebush carving up the Blues for Queensland in a 38-10 cakewalk, but now he could play a role in continuing Brisbane’s top-four resurgence by toppling the Bulldogs.

There is a view Maguire is considering recalling Cobbo as a selection sweetener to keep him happy at Red Hill after the Dolphins made two attempts to secure him before the June 30 transfer deadline.

But Maguire said after Brisbane’s 26-12 defeat of the Warriors on Saturday that he had not closed the door on the prospect of Cobbo returning to play a part in the Broncos’ title assault.

Cobbo could be part of Brisbane’s extended squad or may yet be named in the top 17 if fullback superstar Reece Walsh is called into Camp Maroon for Origin III.

The Dolphins were hopeful of snaring Cobbo immediately after releasing Junior Tupou, but Maguire is adamant the Cherbourg sensation could finish the 2025 campaign with a Broncos premiership ring.

Selwyn Cobbo is heading to the Dolphins next year. Picture: NRL photos

“I had a really good conversation with him (on Friday), he wants to be here and get the opportunity to win a competition at the Broncos,” Maguire said.

“He has said that since I’ve been here and he still has that opportunity.

“He is working hard in the background and is looking fit, so I’m looking forward when the time is right having him back in selection.”

The revitalised Broncos face a litmus test of their title credentials when they face their toughest battle so far this season _ a road trip against equal ladder leaders the Bulldogs.

The Broncos were seemingly a club in crisis just a month ago when six losses from seven starts sent Brisbane crashing out of the top eight, languishing in 12th at the halfway mark of the season.

But wins in their past three games against the Titans (44-14), Cronulla (34-28) and the Warriors (26-12) has catapulted Brisbane (8-7) to fifth and suddenly a crucial top-four spot is within striking distance.

Selwyn Cobbo was a late scratching from feeder club Wynnum Manly’s clash on Sunday. Picture: NRL photos

Last Saturday’s disposal of the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium has moved the Broncos to within four competition points of the fourth-placed Kiwi outfit.

In the 27-year history of the NRL, no team has come from outside the top four to win the competition, underlining the importance of qualifying for a second bite at the title cherry.

Champion halfback Reynolds says Brisbane are a genuine top-four team after navigating almost two months of turbulence.

“I have felt that (Brisbane are a top-four team) since day one,” Reynolds said.

“I know the capabilities and we have got the belief in this team.

“A few results didn’t go our way early on but the belief hasn’t changed.”

Brisbane’s forward depth will be tested with the Broncos to face the Dogs of War without star forward duo Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas due to Origin III commitments.

Broncos ironman and Queensland Origin star Carrigan says Brisbane have more gears and are well positioned to claim the club’s first premiership since 2006.

“We’re not really looking at the ladder or results,” he said.

“Our defence has gotten a whole lot better and our attack is going to keep improving, just staying calm and backing our system.

“Our growth is endless.

“If that puts us in that top-four position, we are more than capable of giving it a shake at the end of the year.”

Originally published as Selwyn Cobbo set for Broncos recall in Round 18 after his immediate move to the Dolphins was blocked