Broncos sign Melbourne Storm flyer Grant Anderson in telling blow for Selwyn Cobbo
Selwyn Cobbo’s Broncos career is on the brink of ending after Brisbane announced the acquisition of a Melbourne Storm flyer.
Selwyn Cobbo’s Broncos career is on the brink of ending after Brisbane signed two replacement wingers.
The Broncos finally announced the acquisition of Melbourne Storm flyer Grant Anderson on Wednesday.
Anderson will join Brisbane on a two-year contract from next season.
The Broncos have also locked up Cobbo’s current replacement, unheralded winger Josiah Karapani, on a two-year extension until the end of 2027.
Karapani has scored four tries in two games since replacing Cobbo on Brisbane’s left wing.
The twin signings in Cobbo’s position are further evidence that the Broncos are resigned to losing the former Queensland Origin and Kangaroos representative.
Cobbo has spent three weeks in reserve grade and the Broncos don’t have the salary cap space to retain him on the $700,000-a-season deal he is seeking.
He has again been overlooked for selection in Saturday’s clash with the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
2025 attacking statistics: Selwyn Cobbo vs Grant Anderson
Karapani, 23, said he was thrilled to remain at Red Hill after playing 10 games last year and fighting his way back into Brisbane’s 17 recently.
“My family say there’s been a massive difference since they last saw me, just my professionalism, my preparation and everything, and I know that’s been from the help of the staff and coaches,” Karapani said.
“I love the connection, the culture of the club, the boys and how close we got so quickly.
“It’s also the fans, it’s a good atmosphere and energy when we’re at Suncorp Stadium.
“I’m slowly finding my feet with this team… I want to be more competitive on the field and aim for that one goal which is the premiership.”
Anderson has been steadily improving under Craig Bellamy at the Storm and has scored 10 tries in 12 NRL games this year.
Broncos football boss Troy Thomson said the club was excited about the signings.
“Josiah has grown a lot as a footballer and he will only continue to develop as a player and a person over the coming seasons,” he said.
“Grant is a great footballer with a proven ability at NRL level, and we’re confident he’ll be a valuable addition to the Broncos both on and off the field.
“He’s been in excellent form and continues to show that he’s not only dependable, but also highly versatile across the backline.”
COBBO’S BEARS LIFELINE
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga is ready to throw a lifeline to Selwyn Cobbo as former Brisbane coach Kevin Walters declared his ex-protege’s career at the Broncos is all-but over.
Meninga gave Cobbo his Test debut and now the new Perth coach is open to the prospect of signing the out-of-favour Brisbane ace amid fears he may have played his last game for the Broncos.
Just turned 23, Cobbo remains off-contract at season’s end and is in limbo after being dropped by Maguire in the lead-up to Brisbane’s clash against the Titans three weeks ago.
That has opened the door for Cobbo to potentially become a foundation signing for Perth at a time when Meninga is set to begin his inaugural recruitment drive to sign 30 full-time Bears players.
Meninga officially launches his career as Perth Bears coach this Tuesday, July 1, and he is monitoring the Cobbo contract situation at the Broncos.
Meninga gave Cobbo his maiden green-and-gold jumper for a Test against Samoa in October 2023 and the NRL Immortal has a proven track record of working with the code’s finest Indigenous talents, including Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston at Origin level.
“I’ll talk to Selwyn and hopefully he might be interested,” said Meninga, who spent time in Perth in the lead-up to Origin II last week to get a feel for the city he will soon live in on a full-time basis.
“We have to put together a whole full-time squad, so there won’t be anyone off the table if they become available.
“It’d be silly not to consider someone like Selwyn.
“With my recruitment guy and head of football, we’ll make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned.
“That’s part of my role, to get a good footy team together and make sure we are competitive from day one.
“There’s no doubting Selwyn’s talent, so you’ve got to talk to those guys if they are available.”
Former Broncos mentor Walters gave Cobbo his NRL debut in 2021 and said the Maroons match-winner would be a handy signing for any NRL rival.
He is not convinced Cobbo will quit the NRL amid revelations Broncos bosses will reach out to Indigenous elders in his hometown Cherbourg.
“I can’t see Selwyn walking away from the game, but he will have to walk away from the Broncos because he is worth more than $300,000 a year,” Fox League analyst Walters said.
“They are virtually squeezing him out of the club, that’s the message.
“You can’t expect someone to stay and play for half the price.
“They were talking about $1 million at the start of the year (for Cobbo on the open market).
“Selwyn in my opinion is an easy player to coach. He is a wonderful footballer and his value for any club is great because he can play centre, wing and fullback.
“It’s clear that the Broncos can’t keep everyone when they are upgrading and extending blokes.
“Someone gets squeezed out and Selwyn would be a great pick up for any club.”
Cobbo has spent the past fortnight with feeder club Wynnum Manly in reserve grade and every week that he spends in the Hostplus Cup will affect his asking price.
The Broncos have not given up hope of retaining Cobbo but are battling salary-cap pressures.
One option is for Cobbo to potentially sign a 12-month extension with Brisbane, which would leave him available to link with Meninga at the Perth Bears in 2027.
At his best, Cobbo is a genuine match-winner who has reached the heights of Origin and Test football before his 22nd birthday, but there are concerns over his true commitment to the weekly demands of the NRL.
Meninga’s aura commands instant respect from players and Queensland’s most successful Origin coach admits Cobbo is at the crossroads.
“Selwyn has got a bit of work to do in my opinion,” he said.
“However, he’s only starting his career and he is still learning.
“We’re not in a position to talk to him yet, there’s certain obligations around the salary cap and when you can talk to people.
“Selwyn certainly has a great career in front of him, but where it’s taking him, I don’t know.
“He’s not playing in the NRL, so I’m not quite sure what’s happening with the Broncos at the moment.”
More Coverage
Add your comment to this story
Revealed: Shock get-out clause could sink PNG expansion side
Peter V’landys has revealed the Australian government has a $600 million get-out clause if Papua New Guinea reneges on a security arrangement involving the NRL’s 19th team.
Trbojevic addiction has left Sea Eagles sloppy and fragile
In the modern game the toughest position on the field is fullback, and few players have done it tougher than Tom Trbojevic - often to the detriment of both the player and the club.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout