Selwyn-win situation for Broncos as Cobbo carves up

A smiling assassin with the ball, Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo knows how to pick his moments to turn the screws on an opposing team.

He did it against the Dolphins in Round 18 where he scored a hat-trick to deny them an upset win and he often sets the tone for his side, scoring their first try in six matches this year.

The softly spoken winger lets his football do the talking on the field, and in his second full season in the NRL he has continued to make a statement with 20 tries.

“First finals for me, I'm proud of the boys (for what we have done) all the year,” Cobbo said.

“Look at where we are today. (I am) very proud of the boys on how far we have come and I just have a smile on my face.

“Where would you rather be except here?

“I'm just enjoying footy … I just love playing the sport and to be able to do my job for the team; it puts a smile on my face to be able to score those tries.”

Making his NRL debut in 2021 where he played seven games, before backing it up with 18 appearances last year, Cobbo said he was feeling fit and better prepared to handle the weekly rigours of the NRL this season.

“It is my second full season this year, I learned a lot last year and coming to this season, I had that experience and it makes me better every time I step onto the footy field and come in here and train," Cobbo said. 

“I guess (I am) progressing as I go … with preparation and all that stuff. I learnt a lot last year (about) preparation. Just being organised makes me a better football player.

“I got the experience last year and my body has coped with (playing) at this level and we have got the best physios here. They look after you and I'm looking after my body.”

The Cherbourg Hornets junior once again featured in Queensland’s series winning Origin side, scoring a try in the opening win in Adelaide before a hip pointer injury ruled him out of the following two games.

He also scored a game-winning hat-trick for the Indigenous All Stars to start his year with a bang.

As always, his inspiration comes from his family and his supporters back home in Cherbourg, where he made history as the first Indigenous school captain at the nearby Murgon State High School.

Cobbo makes the three-hour drive north-west of Brisbane back home as often as he can, which helps him return to Red Hill ready to switch on and play well.

“The whole of Cherbourg is behind me every step of the way and without them, I don't know where I'd be,” Cobbo said.

“They support me to this day with my decisions and I'm very proud of them.

“Going back to Cherbourg gets me switched off the footy and being able to kick back with the family and just take my mind off footy.

"I reset my mindset and I'm able to come back with a better mindset for footy.”

Cobbo's combination with fullback Reece Walsh has been one of the real highlights of Brisbane's season.

“He has been really, really helpful this year for me,” Cobbo said.

“Growing up through the academies and all that, I guess we have that little connection where sometimes I don't talk and he just puts the ball in front of me.

“It’s a privilege just to work beside him and play beside him.

“He's an amazing boy, he's gifted, he's a natural footy player and to play outside of him, it's amazing.

“We both have the same goal (but) we both have a different abilities and talents and I guess that's what makes us better people.”