Broncos move fast to foil Dolphins with $2m deal for Cobbo
SELWYN Cobbo is set to pledge his future to the Broncos by inking a $2m deal that will see Brisbane stave off a poaching threat from the Dolphins for the teenage sensation.
It can be revealed the Broncos have ramped up negotiations on a two-year extension to keep Cobbo until the end of 2025 in a deal that will make the 19-year-old attacking whiz the NRL’S next teenage millionaire.
Dubbed Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell, Cobbo underlined why he is one of the most exciting prospects in rugby league with a sizzling two-try display in the Broncos’ 32-12 rout of the Rabbitohs on Thursday.
Now the Broncos have upped the ante to ensure Cobbo does not follow the lead of former Brisbane Academy aces Sam Walker and Reece Walsh by quitting the club to chase an opportunity elsewhere.
Cobbo has attracted interest from seven NRL rivals, including Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, after bursting on to the NRL scene as an 18-year-old last year, catching the eye of scouts with his speed, power and raw talent.
The Cherbourg young gun is offcontract at the end of next season, meaning he can advance negotiations with the Dolphins and NRL suitors from November 1.
But the Broncos want Cobbo off the market immediately. The teenager is poised to receive an upgrade on his current deal, plus a two-year extension, as the Indigenous flyer prepares to celebrate the biggest payday of his fledgling career.
The Queensland Origin hopeful is on $180,000 this season, but his value will soar beyond the $600,000 mark with his upgraded contract.
Cobbo, who turns 20 next month, is tipped to ink the new deal within the month in a major coup for the Broncos, who are shaping as a finals force following their demolition of Souths at Homebush.
Brisbane head-of-football Ben Ikin declined to comment on contract talks but said the Broncos were rapt with Cobbo’s development and had no plans to lose the budding NRL star.
“Everyone loves the flashy stuff but we’re enjoying seeing Selwyn’s capacity to rip and tear out of the backfield,” Ikin said.
“He is still learning how to be a first grader and that comes in two parts. There’s the 80 minutes every week but also the week leading into it.
“There are parts of his game he can get better in, but there are other areas of his game that are ahead of where we thought he would be. He is starting to work really well with Kotoni (Staggs) on that right edge.”