Mariner wings it towards Broncos prelim as Cobbo looms

Brisbane winger Deine Mariner no longer takes his NRL career for granted and it is just as well with the return from injury of star outside back Selwyn Cobbo looming large.

In a sign of the club's depth, their two 2023 grand final wingers - Cobbo and Jesse Arthars - have both been named on the extended bench for Wynnum Manly and Burleigh as those sides prepare for their respective Queensland Cup semi-finals.

If Cobbo plays, it will be his first game back since tearing a hamstring in round 23.

Between them, the Broncos' back five ran for over 1000m against Canberra in the 29-28 qualifying final win on Sunday.

It would be a huge call for coach Michael Maguire to make changes for Sunday week's preliminary final against Canterbury or Penrith, but Cobbo is a proven match winner.

Mariner has been in and out of the side this year but since round 22 he has been a regular. His return has coincided with six wins out of seven. On a personal front he has scored six tries and made seven line breaks in a rich vein of form.

"It has definitely been not an ideal season but I have learned a lot and taken so much from going back to Q Cup," Mariner said.

"I took first grade for granted. It is hard to play first grade but staying there and being consistent is another thing. I am taking it week by week and trying to get better.

"Sometimes I used to rely on a lot of talent but I learned from what Madge (Maguire) is putting us through that it is a lot of hard work and a lot of extras on and off the field.

"Those are the things I cleaned up and the things I have been focusing on."

The 22-year-old has walked the talk since rejoining the side after a stint with Burleigh. His fellow outside backs are also doing the business, as was evidenced against the Raiders where they took the pressure off the forwards.

"That's definitely something we've been building towards. We know how much work our big boys get through," Mariner said.

"The least we can do is get us out of our own end and I was very happy with the back five. We stepped up and helped the forwards. That's definitely our standard now."

Mariner was unsure whether he would get his position back but now just wants to keep it.

"The way the team is going you never know what is going to happen, but I was always ready for an opportunity and I just didn't want to take it for granted," he said.

As for Cobbo, Mariner said the Dolphins-bound outside back had done a great job getting himself ready to play again.

"He is a massive part of this squad and has been working real hard on his rehab to get himself back. Good on him for getting fit," Mariner said.

"Everyone would love to play but he is more focused on himself. He knows what he needs to do."

Canberra Times

 

[Nashy]

Cobbo shouldn't even be considered.

 

[MrTickyMcG]

Slow news week stuff; not a chance Cobbo is even in the frame.

 

[theshed]

Mariner’s game has really matured over this season.

He is starting to play more intelligently and working harder than ever. If he keeps it up, he could be anything because the natural ability is massive

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'd be staggered if Cobbo is even being considered tbh. The media are pushing this agenda.

 

[Tristan1990]

Cobbo 18th man for me... especially if a cheap shot on walsh is coming

 

[FACTHUNT]

The second tackle run from Mariner, and the third tackle run from Karapani in the set that Hunt kicked the field goal was as important as Hunt kicking it. Those runs, and particularly Mariner's was insane for the 93rd minute. He was carrying like 4 defenders and got up quickly.

18th man, otherwise the only Cob I want to see on prelim final Sunday is a cob loaf on my coffee table ffs

 

[McHunt]

Cobbo 18th man for me... especially if a cheap shot on walsh is coming

He can play fullback, and make some yards, but he won't be the difference between the two teams that Walsh has been. Walsh is irreplaceable, and every team knows it.

 

[kman]

If Cobbo had of re-signed then I would consider it but he didn't and Mariner has absolutely stood up. Mariners game has improved out of sight and Karapani is going great too. So Cobbo 18th man is fine.

 

[1910]

That's a massive change in attitude.

Praise Luke Burt.

 

[Cult]

If Cobbo is ever a chance of coming back to us, he's going to have to put his head down and try to learn how to be a second rower

 

[Cult]

That's a massive change in attitude.

Praise Luke Burt.

How often did Mariner even train with them?

 

[xilliun]

Not a bad problem to have good depth as it lifts the standard of everyone and provides valuable insurance for injuries. Cobbo can be a game winner, but the team has enough of them as it stands. They need wingers who can run hard off the goal line and can threaten the line with acceleration. Ones that can catch high balls would be bloody nice too.

It did look like he was showing that in a very limited sample size before injury. I'd want to see a dominant game in Q Cup before anymore talk of changing the team is had.

 

[Captain Grumpy]

View attachment 35644

Brisbane winger Deine Mariner no longer takes his NRL career for granted and it is just as well with the return from injury of star outside back Selwyn Cobbo looming large.

In a sign of the club's depth, their two 2023 grand final wingers - Cobbo and Jesse Arthars - have both been named on the extended bench for Wynnum Manly and Burleigh as those sides prepare for their respective Queensland Cup semi-finals.

If Cobbo plays, it will be his first game back since tearing a hamstring in round 23.

Between them, the Broncos' back five ran for over 1000m against Canberra in the 29-28 qualifying final win on Sunday.

It would be a huge call for coach Michael Maguire to make changes for Sunday week's preliminary final against Canterbury or Penrith, but Cobbo is a proven match winner.

Mariner has been in and out of the side this year but since round 22 he has been a regular. His return has coincided with six wins out of seven. On a personal front he has scored six tries and made seven line breaks in a rich vein of form.

"It has definitely been not an ideal season but I have learned a lot and taken so much from going back to Q Cup," Mariner said.

"I took first grade for granted. It is hard to play first grade but staying there and being consistent is another thing. I am taking it week by week and trying to get better.

"Sometimes I used to rely on a lot of talent but I learned from what Madge (Maguire) is putting us through that it is a lot of hard work and a lot of extras on and off the field.

"Those are the things I cleaned up and the things I have been focusing on."

The 22-year-old has walked the talk since rejoining the side after a stint with Burleigh. His fellow outside backs are also doing the business, as was evidenced against the Raiders where they took the pressure off the forwards.

"That's definitely something we've been building towards. We know how much work our big boys get through," Mariner said.

"The least we can do is get us out of our own end and I was very happy with the back five. We stepped up and helped the forwards. That's definitely our standard now."

Mariner was unsure whether he would get his position back but now just wants to keep it.

"The way the team is going you never know what is going to happen, but I was always ready for an opportunity and I just didn't want to take it for granted," he said.

As for Cobbo, Mariner said the Dolphins-bound outside back had done a great job getting himself ready to play again.

"He is a massive part of this squad and has been working real hard on his rehab to get himself back. Good on him for getting fit," Mariner said.

"Everyone would love to play but he is more focused on himself. He knows what he needs to do."

Canberra Times

Remember Billy Slater picked Cobbo as a 14 during origin a few years back and he was outstanding, is capable of strong carries, could be the X-factor?