Broncos player tipped to join Cowboys amid NRL dilemma around Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs

NRL great Scott Sattler has revealed the Cowboys are likely to snare either Tyson Smoothy from the Broncos or Jayden Brailey from the Knights before the June 30 deadline this year as cover for star hooker Reece Robson. The Cowboys are likely to be without Robson during the State of Origin period after he emerged as the No.1 hooking option for NSW last year. Todd Payten doesn't really have a genuine back-up hooker in his NRL team, although Karl Lawton or Sam McIntyre could fill the role during Origin time. According to Sattler, rumours are rife that the Cowboys will look to snare one of Smoothy or Brailey to fill the void.Brailey is on the outer at Newcastle and was left out of their leadership group for 2025. The Knights are said to be happy for the veteran to move on, with Phoenix Crossland set to start at No.9 this season. As for Smoothy, he's become surplus to requirements at the Broncos and has already signed with Wakefield in the English Super League for 2026. Smoothy played a lot of first-grade during Kevin Walters' time as Brisbane coach, but under Michael Maguire he appears to be stuck behind Cory Paix, Billy Walters and Blake Mozer. Smoothy will likely spend 2025 in Queensland Cup, unless the Cowboys come knocking. "I'm hearing Tyson Smoothy or Jayden Brailey to the Cows before June 30," Sattler said on SEN radio on Monday night. "If Robson goes down or is selected for Origin there's no-one there who has any experience."

Michael Maguire's surprise Deine Mariner move as Selwyn Cobbo faces awkward call at Brisbane Broncos

Broncos coach Michael Maguire could be set for a shock selection call in round one with Gehamat Shibasaki in line to usurp Deine Mariner for the available centre position as Kotoni Staggs nears a contract extension. Maguire recently admitted Selwyn Cobbo will most likely see a return to the wing this season having been named to start against the Bulldogs out wide. However, Shibasaki's inclusion raised eyebrows with flyer Mariner left on the bench with no explanation. Broncos fans speculated Mariner could be nursing an injury, which explained his exclusion from the strong starting side lining-up against the Bulldogs this Saturday. Mariner was one of the stars for the Broncos, under former coach Kevin Walters, last year having scored 17 tries in 21 games. The flyer's speed was a huge bonus for a backline that suffered too many injuries as the Broncos tumbled out of the top eight. However, Maguire has thrown a curveball to Brisbane Broncos fans has suggested Shibasaki could be in line to start in round one. The 27-year-old train-and-trial star has impressed Maguire during his brutal pre-season camp and the coach is considering starting Shibasaki. Reports suggest the Broncos are moving to upgrade Shibasaki's development contract and he could be in line to feature in 2025. This could see Mariner and Cobbo in a shoot-out for a position either on the wing or centre with Staggs all set to wrap-up a new deal. Staggs is a certainty to start for the Broncos at centre. Jesse Arthars appears a lock in one wing position after a brilliant performance in the NRL All-Stars exhibition. Mariner, Cobbo and now Shibasaki appear to be in a three-way race to make the starting 13. Shibasaki has only played three games in his NRL career since 2017, but appears a real shot at starting in round one.

Kotoni Staggs saga at Broncos takes $2 million twist in brutal new blow for Selwyn Cobbo

Kotoni Staggs is reportedly poised to sign a $2 million extension with Brisbane that that could spell bad news for Selwyn Cobbo's hopes of staying at the Broncos. The future of Brisbane's star outside backs has been a topic of discussion for months, amid suggestions coach Michael Maguire would not be able to fit both under the salary cap and would have to prioritise one of his strike weapons. Staggs' recent promotion to Brisbane's leadership group indicated the former NSW Origin centre was ahead of Cobbo in the pecking order. And it's now understood the 26-year-old will reject interest from rival Sydney clubs and commit his future to the Broncos, in a deal that could run until the end of the 2029 season. The Courier Mail reports that while Staggs has not yet signed the new deal, he is in "advanced negotiations" with the club to agree an extension that will be for at least the next three years, and possibly four - taking him to the end of the 2028 or 2029 seasons. The re-signing of the gun centre would be the first major piece of retention from Broncos coach Maguire and see him ward of the likes of the Sydney Roosters, who among the clubs reportedly interested in poaching Staggs. The 26-year-old appeared to be behind Cobbo in the pecking order at the Broncos last season before his teammate's form dipped and he battled off-field problems. But Staggs enjoyed a strong finish to the season that saw him claim the Allan Langer Award as the club's best back and Maguire has been impressed enough by the centre's attitude to elevate him to the Broncos' leadership group. “Kotoni has always been a handful of a player and I’d love to keep him here absolutely,” Maguire told The Courier Mail. “The one thing I’ve liked since coming here is Kotoni’s leadership qualities. He is an experienced squad member now and his leadership has really stood out."

'No-frills big men' colossal for Broncos

It was the big names who got all of the credit for the Broncos' drought-breaking 26-0 win over the Storm in the finals opener on Friday night - and rightly so. Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds were superb.But the secret weapons that gave the Broncos the impetus to dominate Melbourne for much of the game were two little-known forwards on the bench who added enthusiasm and drive when they came off the pine.No-frills big men Keenan Palasia and Kobe Hetherington hit the Storm with a one-two punch when they were already reeling on the ropes.The two went for 33 runs between them, coming up with an enormous 293 metres.

Broncos Become Most Potent

Do the Broncos have the most potent backline in the NRL? They certainly looked it as they outgunned one of the more fancied backlines in the game in dismantling South Sydney 36-20 at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night.With Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam calling the shots in the halves and the speed of Selwyn Cobbo, Herbie Farnworth, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs out wide, the Broncos ooze pace and tryscroring clout from anywhere on the field.With the forwards doing their job, the Broncos are the real deal and look set to return the club to the glory days in coming seasons - if not in 2023.

Left-field answer to almighty Fittler headache

If the Blues pick their team on form next week, then Kotoni Staggs will have to come close to getting a centre spot.Staggs - who played one game for New South Wales last year - was outstanding in the Broncos' 20-12 win at Shark Park.The strongly built centre scored a try, had a hand in another and ran for nearly 200 metres, winning his battle with another former Blue, Siosifa Talakai.Staggs has been strong all season in the new-look Broncos and has the toughness and 'whatever it takes' attitude necessary to be a success at Origin football.With the Blues struggling for go-forward and penetration in game one, they could go a lot worse than giving Staggs a recall for game two in Brisbane.

Staggs strikes blow in Origin race

Kotoni Staggs struck a major blow in his battle for a Blues State of Origin centre berth with his display in the Broncos' 18-12 win over the Dolphins in Friday night's epic clash.Staggs was at his ball running best, making a game high 237 metres, including the try that sealed the win with a length of the field burst.Staggs played the opening game of last year's series - his only Origin to date - and made little impact and was dropped after Queensland scored an upset win.But Staggs looks a stronger, more mature player this season and he will be giving Brad Fittler - who was sitting on the sidelines as he sped past for the winner - plenty to think about.

Former Broncos great demands more from X-Factor - Kotoni Staggs

Last week I led this column on enigmatic Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs - and said that someone had to kick his butt after a lethargic display against the Cowboys.I'm not suggesting for one minute that Staggs read my column - but someone at the Broncos clearly gave him a good talking to.Staggs looked keen and focussed in the narrow loss to the Roosters - and what a performance he put in.Within the opening 20 minutes, he had more touches than in the entire game against the Cowboys the previous week.He finished with 13 tackle busts - the most of his career - and nearly 200 running metres.It may well prove a career defining game for the powerhouse centre - and that can only be a great thing for the battling Broncos.

Broncos keep Kotoni Staggs in rare NRL win

Kotoni Staggs has finally shut the door on a potential Brisbane exit, committing to the Broncos for another four years in a rare recruitment win for the battling NRL club. Last year's Dally M centre of the year has been rehabilitating a knee injury on the sidelines this season while rival clubs fought hard with the Broncos for his signature. Coach Kevin Walters made Staggs a priority signing and eventually got his man, with the 22-year-old announced on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2025. The coach said Staggs had "grown up watching the Broncos win premierships and wants to win one himself". "My future is here at the Broncos - I've always been told to chase my dream and my dream as a young kid was to be here at the Broncos, and I'm going to be here for another four years - I'm really happy," Staggs said. "We've got a lot to look forward to as a club ... I want to continue to grow and help the younger players out and be a leader and a mentor."