The St George Illawarra Dragons are reportedly keen on signing Selwyn Cobbo from the Brisbane Broncos – and it could happen as early as this season. The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Monday night that Josiah Karapani has re-signed on a two-year deal with the Broncos, which might be the final nail in Cobbo’s time in Brisbane.
The Queensland State of Origin representative was dumped to reserve grade three weeks ago by Michael Maguire, and Karapani has scored four tries in two games since replacing him. Karapani’s form has now earned him a new two-year deal in Brisbane, and Cobbo’s future looks set to be elsewhere.
Cobbo reportedly met with Dragons officials in Wollongong last week while the Broncos had the bye. Shane Flanagan’s club are said to be the front-runners to sign the 23-year-old, with a view to him eventually replacing Clint Gutherson at fullback in the long-term future.
The Dragons have reportedly discussed giving Tyrell Sloan permission to speak with rival clubs and potentially letting him leave before his $500,000 deal expires at the end of 2026. St George Illawarra are reportedly keen on getting Cobbo as soon as possible, but there’s less than a week remaining before the June 30 deadline.
Could the Dragons get Selwyn Cobbo this year?
The Sydney Morning Herald are reporting the Broncos aren’t keen on letting Cobbo walk before his deal expires at the end of this season. Brisbane have also signed Grant Anderson from the Melbourne Storm for next year, and can only offer Cobbo a one-year extension for $300,000.
“Selwyn Cobbo is unlikely to be at the club beyond this year,” reporter Michael Chammas said on Channel 9 on Monday night. “The Dragons are waiting to see what the Broncos do. They want to make sure that he’s ready to leave Brisbane before they make him an offer.”
Chammas revealed the Dragons have a spot available in their 30-man roster due to Ben Hunt and Francis Molo leaving. “The Dragons are looking at an 18-month deal (starting now),” he added. “They have a spot available for this year and they’ve got the money as well. In a perfect world the Dragons would get Selwyn Cobbo this year to play centre or wing.
“But the Broncos are unlikely to entertain that before June 30 at this stage. It all depends on what Cobbo wants and how happy he is, but the mail out of Brisbane is he isn’t all that happy with how he’s been treated by Michael Maguire.”
There was once a chain of thought that Cobbo wouldn’t leave Brisbane due to his family roots and connection with hometown Cherbourg. But that has changed and Cobbo has declared he’d be happy to move interstate if it was right for him.
As well as receiving interest from the Dragons, the Roosters, Dolphins and Cowboys have also inquired about signing Cobbo. However the Dolphins have reportedly pulled out of the race, and the Cowboys are only interested in a six-month deal for the rest of 2025.
Speaking on Monday, Broncos teammate Kotoni Staggs was adamant that Cobbo is still in their best 17 players. “I’d love to see him stay but he has got to do what is best for himself and his family,” said Staggs, who re-signed with Brisbane last week. “He is a player that can turn the game around. I think Selly is in our top 17 for sure. He can turn nothing into something.”
