Selwyn Cobbo could be forced out as Ben Hunt agrees to fairytale return to Brisbane Broncos
Several of Brisbane's NRL rivals are circling Cobbo.
Three of Brisbane's NRL rivals have moved to try and poach Selwyn Cobbo as Michael Maguire and the Broncos won the race to bring Ben Hunt home to Red Hill on Tuesday. The former Dragons skipper has agreed to a $1.2 million deal for two seasons to return to the club he left to join the Red V on a big-money move in 2018.
Hunt's decision could have massive salary-cap ramifications for the Broncos, as it would greatly impact their ability to hold onto Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs. The pair are both off-contract next season and Brisbane are yet to lock either strike centre down to a new deal.
Last week Broncos coach Maguire vowed to fight to do all he could to keep the Queensland Origin star at Red Hill, but realistically he may be unable to fit him into the salary cap alongside Hunt. The Broncos rewarded superstar fullback Reece Walsh with a staggering $4.4 million extension earlier this month and if the club bring in the veteran halfback on big money, it becomes incredibly difficult to squeeze Cobbo into their cap.
Walsh joined Haas, who is on $1.1m-a-season for the next two years, in the million-dollar club, while Pat Carrigan ($800k) and Ezra Mam ($750k) also command significant salary cap space and both are signed until 2028. Staggs and Cobbo are currently on around $650,000 each and their new deals would be expected to be closer to the $1 million mark. And three rival NRL clubs are reportedly keen to capitalise on the situation, tabling offers for Cobbo.
The Daily Telegraph reports two Sydney clubs and a third NRL suitor have expressed interest in Cobbo. Cobbo's agent Tas Bartlett has fielded the approaches but says he won't start formal negotiations with any club in the immediate future to allow the Brisbane young gun to focus on pre-season.
Selwyn Cobbo could be tempted by fullback promise
Brisbane's patient approach in negotiating a new deal for Cobbo could prove costly as it has opened the door for poaching threats, with a trio of NRL clubs lodging expressions of interest in the centre since he became a free agent on November 1. Cobbo's preference is to stay at the Broncos but it remains to be seen if that is a possibility.
It is also understood Cobbo would ideally want to play fullback, something unlikely to happen anytime soon at Red Hill, which could be another selling point a rival could use to lure the exciting talent away from Brisbane. But Broncos coach Maguire is adamant signing Hunt would not force Staggs or Cobbo out of Red Hill.
Asked if the club can afford Hunt, Cobbo and Staggs, Maguire said: “I believe we can, yes. A player of Ben Hunt’s calibre is hard to get and having his name in your top squad, it has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? We have presented to Ben and shown him the club and he would be immense for our environment. His leadership and his quality as a player are great assets.
“I’m sure he is talking to his family and working out what it is he wants, but he also has a great opportunity to come back to a Broncos club that he loves and do something special and help the club create history again. That’s what we are all chasing."
RELATED:
Craig Bellamy cops blow as key target rejects Melbourne Storm
NRL urged to step in and block Latrell Mitchell and Addo-Carr move
