Cobbo conundrum? How speed demon’s rise could spark retention nightmare

Broncos speedster Deine Mariner has a mission: to ensure he is the club’s long-term centre.

While Brisbane in 2024 look unlikely to repeat their success of the previous season, when they played their way to the grand final, Mariner at last had his chance in his preferred role.

The 21-year-old launched his NRL career on the wing, scoring 14 tries in 13 games there this year, but has spent the past six rounds in the No.4 jumper, as Selwyn Cobbo battled injuries and personal matters.

Now Cobbo, who has not played since round 21, will make his comeback on the wing against Parramatta, opening the door for Mariner to secure the centre job.

While Mariner stressed Cobbo brought “things other players can’t bring to the team”, he made it clear centre was where he saw his own future.

“Wing was just a position to get some reps in to build into centre because obviously centre is a much more defensive position,” Mariner said.

“I’m always going to be confident to play centre because that’s a preferred position for me – I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Should Mariner remain in the centres, it poses a question over Cobbo’s future.

Salary cap constraints caused Brisbane to lose Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler and Kurt Capewell last year, and now Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs – off contract at the end of 2025 – will be in the crosshairs of several clubs.

Staggs produced arguably a career-best performance against the Cowboys, and the Sydney Roosters could come equipped with a war chest, given current centre pairing Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii will defect to rugby union.

Brisbane will also need to extend fullback Reece Walsh, while the club’s depth among its forwards has been called into question this year, and could inspire a hunt for reinforcements.

Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh has reportedly been connected to Brisbane.

After an emphatic start to the season, culminating in a star State of Origin showing in Queensland’s series opening triumph, Cobbo’s form has wavered since he was left out of the series’ game two.

Maroons coach Billy Slater said mental exhaustion and the 22-year-old’s need to play with pain-killing injections were behind his omission, before returning for the decider.

Should Staggs and Mariner remain at the club, and given the emergence of rookies Israel Leota and Josiah Karapani, Cobbo would face tough choices.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters – who previously declared Brisbane could keep Staggs and Cobbo – said Cobbo’s skillset was needed on the wing, a move that will need to reap rewards, with Brisbane unable to lose again to stand a finals chance.

“He’s in the best physical condition [he’s been in] all season, really,” Walters said.

“We’re expecting a big game from Selwyn. [Wing] is more his position at the moment, he’s strong with his carries and catches the ball well, and he’s good defensively on the wing.

“You put all those together, and it makes for an easy decision.”

Sydney Morning Herald

 

[thenry]

He's a versatile back who can win games by himself, but his market value is probably too high to carry in our cap, given his tendency to go walkabout mentally, three or four times a season, for weeks on end.

Only the club knows the extent to which his personal life hobbles his on field motivation. Suffice to say the police needing to get involved in his love life more than once isn't a great sign, no matter which way it went.

Yeah look, I reckon you could fit more stereotypes in that post mate, with your journalistic skills. Walkabout, lazy mentality, police involvement. Come on man you can do better.

 

[Mustafur]

Yeah there isn't one single aspect of the game that Cobbo does better than Inglis.

I would say when he is fit he is faster, thats about it, that said Inglis had a bit more size too.

 

[Big Del]

Definitely won’t.
He has the ability of Inglis and the pea heart of Latrell.
Btw, he also has the potential to be better than both.
Sadly, when the Broncos are sitting outside the 8, in need of an organising half, you can’t pay on “potential”. If he played like Patty every week, there would be no need for this thread.
So yeah, no narrative, we just have a better centre in Staggs. That’s all.

Nah , nah .
You are changing the subject . You said he doesn`t take tough carries .
Fair enough if you want to say Staggs is a better player . But no need to make shit up.

 

[Mick_Hancock]

Nah , nah .
You are changing the subject . You said he doesn`t take tough carries .
Fair enough if you want to say Staggs is a better player . But no need to make shit up.

Didn’t change anything.
He doesn’t take the tough carries. Just doesn’t. Has he ever?! Yes, of course he has. Has he had absolute blinders?! Of course he has. Does he play like a fat, lazy, shell of himself? Of course he does.
And before you say “injury etc”….
Read above.
If you’re injured, don’t play.
If you’re not there mentally, don’t play.
If there are any ifs, don’t fkn play.
I really do like Selwyn, I really do. Would love for him to be a Bronco forever. But I stand by my earlier comments. That is all.

 

[Big Del]

Didn’t change anything.
He doesn’t take the tough carries. Just doesn’t. Has he ever?! Yes, of course he has. Has he had absolute blinders?! Of course he has. Does he play like a fat, lazy, shell of himself? Of course he does.
And before you say “injury etc”….
Read above.
If you’re injured, don’t play.
If you’re not there mentally, don’t play.
If there are any ifs, don’t fkn play.
I really do like Selwyn, I really do. Would love for him to be a Bronco forever. But I stand by my earlier comments. That is all.

Doublespeak​

 

[Mustafur]

Didn’t change anything.
He doesn’t take the tough carries. Just doesn’t. Has he ever?! Yes, of course he has. Has he had absolute blinders?! Of course he has. Does he play like a fat, lazy, shell of himself? Of course he does.
And before you say “injury etc”….
Read above.
If you’re injured, don’t play.
If you’re not there mentally, don’t play.
If there are any ifs, don’t fkn play.
I really do like Selwyn, I really do. Would love for him to be a Bronco forever. But I stand by my earlier comments. That is all.

Literally was one of our best last game with tough carries being a key part of it.

 

[Wolfie]

No way is Cobbo as quick as Inglis was in his younger years. He was clocked around 39-40 km/h at one stage. Cobbo isn’t that quick, that’s Hammer like speed.

 

[Financeguy]

No way is Cobbo as quick as Inglis was in his younger years. He was clocked around 39-40 km/h at one stage. Cobbo isn’t that quick, that’s Hammer like speed.

Yeah, when Inglis was Cobbo's age, before he filled out he was bloody quick

 

[Wolfie]

Yeah, when Inglis was Cobbo's age, before he filled out he was bloody quick

I can't remember where I read about it, but his faster recorded time was when he had that length of the field try disallowed in Origin.

 

[Big Del]

Literally was one of our best last game with tough carries being a key part of it.

Thank goodness some one else sees it like it is and doesn`t have an agenda

 

[McHunt]

Thank goodness some one else sees it like it is and doesn`t have an agenda

AGENDA

 

[Big Del]

AGENDA

a list of matters to be discussed at a meeting:
There were several important items on the agenda.
The question of security is high on the agenda for this afternoon's meeting.

a list of aims or possible future achievements:
Women's rights have been put back on the agenda (= are being discussed publicly again).
The subject of safety needs to be placed high on/at the top of the agenda (= must be discussed because it is very important).
Education was placed firmly on the political agenda in the prime minister's weekend speech.

a secret aim or reason for doing something:
She felt that some of the group had an agenda.
There's no hidden agenda - I'm just trying to help.

 

[ningnangnong]

@McHunt @Big Del if you two want to discuss the intricacies of the English language, please do so via PM.

Thanks.

 

[Big Del]

@McHunt @Big Del if you two want to discuss the intricacies of the English language, please do so via PM.

Thanks.

No probs .
I should just stick to making things up and using them to justify my arguments ? Roger !

 

[Big Pete]

People seem to forget how good Inglis was, he was elite.

Cobbo may go on to have a good or great career but brave words saying he can potentially be better than Inglis.

The game remembers players like Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer rightfully as the best in the game.

But there is something to be said of players with high ceilings.

To this day, there's been very few players who have been able to do some of the things we saw GI doing from 2004-08. Off the top of my head, Hayne and Turbo would be the closest, but I don't think they quite had his power or skill-set.

Who would you nominate for the Broncos? Renouf, @Big Del, Tuqiri, Lockyer, Hodges, Walsh, Folau, Yow Yeh etc? For mine it comes down to Del and Locky.

 

[Wolfie]

The game remembers players like Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer rightfully as the best in the game.

But there is something to be said of players with high ceilings.

To this day, there's been very few players who have been able to do some of the things we saw GI doing from 2004-08. Off the top of my head, Hayne and Turbo would be the closest, but I don't think they quite had his power or skill-set.

Who would you nominate for the Broncos? Renouf, @Big Del, Tuqiri, Lockyer, Hodges, Walsh, Folau, Yow Yeh etc? For mine it comes down to Del and Locky.

GI is one of my top 5 players ever i think. Unstoppable when he was on top form. Quick, skillful and had that brute force to go with it. I reckon if he looked after himself a bit better and had some better luck with injury he would be up there with the players you mentioned. Still gutted we never got him.

 

[Financeguy]

The game remembers players like Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer rightfully as the best in the game.

But there is something to be said of players with high ceilings.

To this day, there's been very few players who have been able to do some of the things we saw GI doing from 2004-08. Off the top of my head, Hayne and Turbo would be the closest, but I don't think they quite had his power or skill-set.

Who would you nominate for the Broncos? Renouf, @Big Del, Tuqiri, Lockyer, Hodges, Walsh, Folau, Yow Yeh etc? For mine it comes down to Del and Locky.

For the Broncos K Hunt comes to mind...good enough to keep Slater at bay in the rep teams but unfortunately we didn't get to see how good he could have been due to the publicity stunt of AFL.

I'm not sure he would have been in the Lockyer/Smith/Thurston category as i just don't think he loved the game enough (i'm sure i remember seeing a Wide World of Sports section on him when he broke through and he admitted to enjoying NBA more than league)) but a real shame that he didn't stay in league.

 

[Big Del]

GI is one of my top 5 players ever i think. Unstoppable when he was on top form. Quick, skillful and had that brute force to go with it. I reckon if he looked after himself a bit better and had some better luck with injury he would be up there with the players you mentioned. Still gutted we never got him.

I remember watching GI play for The Devils .
His fend and balance reminded me of Renouf . You could not have predicted that skinny kid would turn out to be the beast he became . He put on a lot of muscle .As he matured .

@Big Pete
Athletically gifted probably Wendell .
You just don`t see guys take the kick off , bust the tackles and run the length anymore .
I think Darren having played AFL as a kid made his awareness of intercepts and stealing loose passes other level . Which often swung games a la Origin .