‘Can’t keep both’: Brisbane Broncos rumour spreads

Fuel has been poured on a burning Broncos rumour with a club legend saying a bombshell move could be the right thing to do.

Broncos legend Corey Parker has responded to a swirling rumour Selwyn Cobbo could move to the Cowboys.

The speculation about Cobbo’s future has spread like wildfire as a result of unfounded social media posts.

The interest in Cobbo has been immense in recent weeks after it was revealed last month that the Broncos hadn’t tabled him a fresh offer.

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The Courier-Mail reported the Broncos were facing the likelihood that Cobbo will test his value on the open market from the November 1 deadline when rival clubs will be free to talk to him. His contract with Brisbane expires at the end of the 2025 season.

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 why the whispers of a move to the Cowboys have taken off.

Rugby league reporter Tony Adams - known as “The Mole” - poured fuel on the fire when posting: “If Selwyn Cobbo goes to the Cowboys, will he be a good fit? Wasn’t all that great in 2024”.

Parker on Tuesday morning added another layer of intrigue to the situation when he brought up the subject of the Broncos’ retention headache of trying to keep both Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs at the club.

The former Queensland State of Origin cult hero said on his SEN Breakfast show in Brisbane he can’t see the club fitting both players under the salary cap.

He also speculated a move to the Cowboys could improve Cobbo as a player.

Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs.

Parker said he had not heard the rumour himself.

“I agree he would benefit if he was to go to the Cowboys under JT (Johnathan Thurston),” Parker responded to a listener’s text message.

“I think what JT would be able to teach Selwyn would be invaluable, but having said that. I haven’t heard this rumour yet.”

Thurston took up a casual role as a coaching consultant with the Cowboys ahead of the 2022 NRL season.

With Valentine Holmes moving to the Dragons, Cobbo looks a perfect replacement from 2026. However, the Cowboys also have Zac Laybutt, Jaxon Purdue, Viliami Vailea and other options to play in the centres.

“If he was going anywhere it would make sense for him to go north to the Cowboys,” Parker said.

“If that was the case, he would be taking, I would have thought, Valentine Holmes’ money,” he said.

“That’s $800k to $900k. I’ve openly said if Selwyn Cobbo goes on the open market, I think he could fetch in excess of a million dollars.

“Now, whether they have that in the cap, I’m not sure. If you let some people go, maybe there is some room in the cap.”

He reiterated his previous comments that the Broncos can’t take up so much of the club’s salary cap with the likes of Cobbo and Staggs when the club is set to announce a mega four-year, $5 million deal with fullback Reece Walsh. The club also extended the contracts of Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam.

Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I think one does have to go because you just can’t have all those players taking up that much cap space,” Parker said of Cobbo and Staggs.

“Selwyn could go and I think he could get a million bucks. That’s not me saying what I think he’s worth. If he goes on the open market, given what he can do and how much of a player he is, and how young he is – the upside and all the above – I think he could go close to a million dollars (per year).

“If he wants to stay at the Broncos for less, that’s great. Also with Kotoni Staggs, if he stayed, that’d be unreal. I’m just not sure they can facilitate that.”

He went on to say: “The clubs pay on potential. And if you look at potential, he (Cobbo) has absolutely got it.

“He’s played for his country. He’s played State of Origin. We’ve seen him play at fullback, centre, wing. He’s got versatility.

“I hope Selwyn Cobbo stays at the Brisbane Broncos, but I just can’t see how it’s going to go.”

Cobbo has been previously linked with the Roosters.

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.

That won’t stop rival clubs from throwing cash at both players when the November 1 deadline passes.

Originally published as ‘Can’t keep both’: Brisbane Broncos rumour spreads