Gorden Tallis has fired up at the Brisbane Broncos as out-of-favour star Selwyn Cobbo edges closer to the exit door, having met with the St George Illawarra Dragons to discuss a potential move.
The 23-year-old travelled to Wollongong last week to meet with the Dragons.
But the June 30 deadline for a mid-season switch is looming large, with Cobbo seemingly yet to push for a release despite being frustrated to have been dropped by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The former Qld Origin representative hasn’t laced up for the Broncos since a loss in Round 13 and is not expected to be rushed back into the side.
Josiah Karapani has impressed in his place, with Michael Chammas reporting his two-year contract extension has all but sealed Cobbo’s exit.
The Broncos reportedly set aside just $300,000 to keep him at the club — less than half his current wage.
Brisbane’s ongoing recruitment drive has earned signatures from Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer, while Grant Anderson will reportedly join from the Melbourne Storm.
Most notably, though, the decision to extend veteran Adam Reynolds while letting Cobbo walk has baffled club great Tallis.
“I think he (Cobbo) is the future of the club,” Tallis said on NRL360
“They have got two 35-year-old No.7s (Reynolds and Ben Hunt) that they re-signed as a priority and resigned another hooker (Mozer) when they have got five.
“Then they have got this young talent (Cobbo) and they leave $300,000, which I think is a little bit disrespectful for a State of Origin player and I don’t think he has lost that much mojo.
“In my opinion when Reece Walsh was out and he went back to fullback, he kept them in a few of those games, but obviously they don’t want him.”
The Dragons reportedly appear hesitant to make the first move to grab Cobbo, preferring to wait for the player and his current club to part ways before putting forward an 18-month offer.
St George Illawarra officials are said to have made it clear to Cobbo he is viewed as a long-term sucessor to current co-captain and fullback Clint Gutherson.
Such a plan would see Cobbo slot in on the wing or at centre for the Red V.
North Queensland were also in the mix but reportedly only on a deal for the rest of the 2025 season.
