Crash Craddock: How the Broncos could lose Selwyn Cobbo, Ashes mania and opportunities for sprint sensation Lachie Kennedy

They say Selwyn Cobbo will never leave Brisbane – but there are two ways this theory could be tested this season, writes CRASH CRADDOCK.

There's theory in rugby league Selwyn Cobbo will never leave the Broncos but rival clubs now have a rare chance to put it to the test.

With Kotoni Staggs set to land a $3 million contract extension and Adam Reynolds a surprise chance to play on next year, the Broncos have more balls in the air than a circus juggler.

Something has to go pop eventually. The well is not bottomless.

Cobbo is off contract but the big bucks can only be stretched so far in a club already committed to a million dollar deal for Reece Walsh and a looming contract upgrade for Payne Haas.

The only certainty is that if Cobbo does stay at the Broncos he would have rejected two things from rival clubs – more cash and more opportunity.

Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Cobbo reportedly longs to play fullback but that is not a realistic chance while Walsh is at the Broncos but other clubs may offer him this role.

Then there’s the cash. Corey Parker says Cobbo is a million dollar player but even if a rival club could not go that high they may still be able to comfortably provide him with more than the $600,000 he is on at the moment.

A leading Sydney-based club recently did a scouting report on Cobbo and declared he would never leave the Broncos so no offer was made.

Cobbo has loved the club since he was a boy and his connections with his home region at Cherbourg make him a natural to stay close to home.

But you never know …

ASHES MANIA

Australia with the Ashes urn in 2023. Picture: Adrian DENNIS / AFP

If rugby league is as big as everyone claims, is there any danger it can come up with an original title?

Later this year Australia and England will go to war in England for the crassly named ABK Beer Ashes Series.

The story behind the burning of the bails for cricket’s Ashes series between the two nations is an enchanting tale which gives the sport much of the romance it is renowned for.

The Ashes should be cricket’s pride and joy. Not rugby league’s even though they have been jumping on board since 1908.

You don’t play for the Bledisloe Cup in sailing, or the fables Masters green jacket in basketball.

I’m surprised in our litigious corporate world, the Ashes are not more heavily trademarked.

MADGE’S HARD YARDS

There were strong whispers that some players were aghast at the torrid early season training sessions under new coach Michael Maguire.

We could see why. The signs of vomit bins at gym sessions were an assault on the senses in every way.

But there’s no whinging now. That rock solid fitness base has been the bedrock of the Broncos strong start to the season.

HE’S A FLYER

Interesting to see whether rugby league clubs come knocking on the door of Brisbane sprint sensation Lachie Kennedy.

The former Gregory Terrace student was a star junior rugby union outside back who only took his sprinting career mega-seriously from his last year at school.

At 21, he is now one of the fastest men in the world over a short distance and sensationally beat Gout Gout in the 200m in Melbourne on Saturday.

Anyone for a flying winger? At least one senior rugby league scout has been closely following his progress.

STAGGS EYES NEW DEAL

Explosive centre Kotoni Staggs plans to be a Bronco for life and is keen to sign a new deal with a team he knows can crack Brisbane’s premiership curse.

Staggs is close to signing a $3 million extension with the Broncos and, if his career goes as planned, will not play for any other club.

“Obviously I don’t want to leave, I’ve been here for eight years now,’’ Staggs told this masthead.

“I’ve been signed at the club for 11 (years). As a young kid this is where I wanted to be. I don’t see myself anywhere else.’’

Kotoni Staggs returned against the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

Staggs, who missed the opening three rounds due to a hip flexor injury, returned to play a decisive role in the Broncos’ robust 20-12 defeat of the Dolphins in the Battle of Brisbane.

It was just the sort of performance players like to slap on the table when in negotiations over their future.

Confronting the club which gave Staggs a crucial break early in his career seems to bring the best out of him and the latest contest was spiced by the fact he was playing against his former Bronco centre partner Herbie Farnworth.

“To be honest, Redcliffe gave me my first opportunity when I moved there and I’m always thankful for that and won a Q Cup comp with them in 2018 and I’ve still got some good mates there.

“(But) I don’t look at it like that. I just think I’m at the Broncs now and this is where I play my footy and I love playing my footy and they (the Dolphins) are just another team in the comp and I always have just got to go out and play my best footy.

Originally published as Crash Craddock: How the Broncos could lose Selwyn Cobbo, Ashes mania and opportunities for sprint sensation Lachie Kennedy