NRL club banned from signing Selwyn Cobbo early revealed as Broncos teammate set to join Souths

Former Broncos player Denan Kemp has revealed there was only one club that Brisbane wouldn't allow Selwyn Cobbo to join before the June 30 deadline - and it's the club he's joining in 2026. The Dolphins announced the signing of Cobbo on a one-year deal on Friday, and he'll join his new club next season.

The Dragons and Cowboys had reportedly enquired about getting Cobbo this year before the June 30 deadline for player transfers. But the Dragons withdrew their interest on Thursday when it became apparent that Cobbo was never really serious about leaving Queensland.

Speaking on SEN radio on Friday morning, Kemp revealed he'd heard on good authority that Brisbane were willing to part ways with Cobbo immediately - as long as he wasn't joining the Dolphins. The Broncos and Dolphins are arch-rivals, and both based in Brisbane.

Selwyn Cobbo (R) has decided to quit the Broncos, while Latrell Siegwalt (far left) has reportedly signed with South Sydney. Image: AAP

With winger Jack Bostock suffering an ACL injury last week, Cobbo would have been a handy pick-up for the Dolphins straight away. But there's no way the Broncos would want to do their closest rivals any favours, especially as they're both in the fight to play finals.

"I got it on good authority that there was only one club the Broncos said 'you're not allowed to go to early'. And it was the Dolphins," Kemp reported. "They literally said there was only one club."

Matty Johns said he wouldn't be letting Cobbo walk early either because he could be still be a valuable piece in the event of an injury or suspension. "It's good to see that rivalry," Johns said. "If I'm Madge (Michael Maguire), I wouldn't let Selwyn go early either. At the end of the day, they've got Reece (Walsh) on one leg...you need to have depth in your squad. You can't just let quality players walk out the door."

Selwyn Cobbo has fallen out of favour at the Broncos. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

According to reports, the Broncos only had about $300,000 to offer Cobbo for a one-year contract extension - much less than he'd be able to get on the open market. The one-year deal with the Dolphins leaves the door ajar for a big-money move to an NRL expansion club, whether it be Perth (in 2027) or PNG (in 2028).

“The Dolphins have always said we are about continuing to build a roster that will make us one of the top teams in the NRL,” said CEO Terry Reader. “Selwyn is an accomplished player who has done some amazing things at both Origin and NRL level already. But we believe he has untapped potential to go to even greater heights in our game and are excited about what he can do in a Dolphins jersey.”

The move allows the former State of Origin player to remain in Queensland and not too far from beloved hometown Cherbourg. "His Origin pedigree will only strengthen a Dolphins’ back five that includes players of the calibre of English international Herbie Farnworth, Kangaroo Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kiwi Test player Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo and Jack Bostock," the Dolphins said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, the Broncos have also reportedly lost promising young fullback Latrell Siegwalt to South Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting Siegwalt will join Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs on a two-year deal from 2026.

The 24-year-old is viewed as Reece Walsh's understudy at the Broncos, but Maguire opted to use Cobbo and Jesse Arthars in the No.1 jersey when Walsh was injured earlier this year. Siegwalt has carved out a reputation as one of the Queensland Cup's best players, but has never been handed a first-grade debut.

He scored a try in a pre-season game for the Broncos earlier this year, but is yet to be given a crack at NRL level. The move to Souths would present the same problem for Siegwalt, who will now be stuck behind Latrell Mitchell and Jye Gray.

Latrell Siegwalt is yet to make his first-grade debut. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/selwyn-cobbo-makes-stunning-call-to-quit-as-broncos-teammate-signs-with-south-sydney-223845232.html

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