Todd Payten confirms Cowboys’ interest in Selwyn Cobbo but only for the right price
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has confirmed the club’s interest in securing the signature of Selwyn Cobbo, but made it clear the club will only throw the unwanted Broncos winger a lifeline for the right price.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has revealed his interest in Selwyn Cobbo and believes North Queensland’s culture can revive the career of the enigmatic Broncos match-winner.
But Payten made it clear the Cowboys won’t engage in a big-money bidding war for his services and are only open to throwing a lifeline to Cobbo at the right price.
Payten’s stance came as Broncos board member Darren Lockyer, also a member of the club’s recruitment-and-retention committee, said Cobbo was facing a “test” that could make or break his NRL career.
Cobbo’s career at the Broncos is at the crossroads with the off-contract flyer named to turn out for feeder club Wynnum Manly against Redcliffe in the Hostplus Cup on Sunday at Kougari Oval.
It is the third consecutive week Cobbo has been chosen in reserve grade by Broncos coach Michael Maguire, raising fears the ex-Queensland Origin star may have played his last game at Brisbane.
Mindful of Cobbo’s plight, the Cowboys made inquiries last week about brokering the type of mid-season transfer that saw Broncos reject Tom Dearden join North Queensland before the June 30 deadline in 2021.
The Broncos blocked the transfer request, but there is a view Cobbo could benefit from a change of scenery in the tropics – just like Dearden, who has developed into a Queensland Origin player in Townsville.
Cobbo recently flew to Sydney to meet with the Dragons. Payten confirmed he has also held talks with the Cherbourg product and said he is open to signing Cobbo for 2026 and beyond if they can strike the right commercial terms.
“We’ve had a discussion but that’s as far as it’s gone at the moment,” Payten said ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Titans.
“It all depends on what he is asking and what they are expecting.
“We haven’t got that far down the line yet.
“We always consider quality players and the price point is the determining factor.”
Cobbo is on around $650,000 this season and it’s understood he would have to take a six-figure pay cut to wear Cowboys colours in 2026.
The stunning metamorphosis of Dearden, who has gone from Broncos discard to Cowboys co-captain, is evidence a move from Brisbane to Townsville can pay dividends.
Valentine Holmes’ off-season departure to the Dragons this season has left a void in the Cowboys backline and Payten believes the 105kg Cobbo – once dubbed Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell – can be a strike weapon.
“I think Selwyn Cobbo would help any club he is going to,” he said.
“He carries the ball strongly, he can find the tryline and break a game open. He has proven that over time.
“There’s no doubt we could help him get to where he wants to get to, but if we get to that point, it’s down to him.
“I don’t doubt our club would be a good fit.
“We are a rural town with country values.
“We have humble players who work hard.”
Lockyer remains hopeful Cobbo won’t quit the Broncos and will instead fight his way back to reclaim the wing spot currently occupied by Josiah Karapani, who inked a two-year extension on Wednesday.
“This is a test for Selwyn,” said Channel 9 expert analyst Lockyer.
“It’s a combination of factors (for his demotion).
“We all know what Selwyn is capable of _ you learn more about yourself in adversity.
“This is not ‘Madge’ (Maguire) trying to say, ‘Your time at the Broncos is done’, it’s giving him a test and seeing how he comes out of it.
“For Selwyn, how he comes out of it and what he learns through that process will be important for not just now but his future.
“He is so much like ‘GI’ (former Queensland Origin centre Greg Inglis), but it’s how hard he wants to work to play to his potential.
“This period in his career will be good for his longevity.
“Fingers crossed for the Broncos and Selwyn himself that he can fight his way back into the team.”
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