Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo is set to depart Red Hill at the end of the 2025 season, with the club’s tightening salary cap and a $2.1 million three-year roster restructure forcing a dramatic shift in the backline.
Cobbo, 22, has been a key figure in the Broncos’ rise over the past three seasons, but the arrival of new signings—most notably Grant Anderson and Josiah Karapani—has pushed him to the fringes. Sources close to the club have confirmed that Cobbo has been told to explore his options beyond 2025, with a formal offer unlikely to be tabled.
“I’m leaving the Broncos,” Cobbo reportedly told teammates last week. “It’s disappointing, but I understand it’s business.”
The Broncos have recently committed large multi-year contracts to stars Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Payne Haas, and Kotoni Staggs, with the club’s top-end spending expected to exceed $7 million annually by 2026. Cobbo’s expected market value—around $700,000 per season—proved too much for Brisbane to carry under the cap.
Coach Michael Maguire has remained tight-lipped on Cobbo’s future but emphasized the club’s long-term vision.
“We’re building for sustained success,” Maguire said. “Tough decisions are part of that process.”
Several rival clubs are said to be circling, including the Dolphins, Dragons, and Titans—all of whom are eager to add strike power and youth to their outside backs.
With Cobbo’s likely exit, the Broncos are bracing for more tough calls, as over a dozen players come off contract after the 2025 season. His departure marks a pivotal moment in the club’s evolution—one that underscores the cost of success in a tightly capped league.
