Michael Maguire ripped for axing Broncos 'scapegoat' Selwyn Cobbo
Brisbane great Justin Hodges has clipped Michael Maguire as the Broncos coach prepares to axe Selwyn Cobbo from the team.
Cobbo, who turned 23 this week, was named on the wing for Saturday's clash with Gold Coast but reports claim he has been dumped and will not play.
He spent the first seven games of the season in his usual wing position, before being moved to fullback to cover for Reece Walsh's injury.
READ MORE: Socceroos 'fairytale' all but secured after dramatic late winner
READ MORE: Controversial Roosters star 'hasn't lived up to the hype'
READ MORE: Hollywood A-listers buy Australia's SailGP team
Cobbo was bumped from the No.1 role a fortnight ago in favour of Jesse Arthars making a surprise fullback cameo, and now that Walsh is back in the team, Cobbo will be the odd man out.
It is a stunning fall from grace for the lanky utility back who was recently floated as a potential $1 million player on the NRL market.
Selwyn Cobbo of the Broncos in action. Getty
The Broncos have lost six of their last seven games and Maguire has taken an axe to the backline, but his choice of target has raised questions.
"At the end of the day, (Cobbo is) playing on the wing," legendary centre Hodges said on Fox League on Thursday night.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"If you're dropping a winger, it doesn't really make sense.
"I think he's been OK in a side that hasn't really performed.
"I don't know. It doesn't really sit well with me to drop someone like that.
"I think there's other blokes that probably need to get dropped first."
Fellow NRL great James Graham also grilled Maguire over the decision to axe Cobbo.
"To make Selwyn Cobbo the scapegoat for those performances I think would be unjust and wrong," Graham told Triple M.
"Selwyn Cobbo is not the problem."
The axing will also all but certainly end any chance Cobbo had of being picked for Queensland's State of Origin team.
He was left out of Billy Slater's side for game one but a blinder against the Titans on Saturday could have put him in contention for a recall, given the Maroons were badly beaten.
Cobbo is without a contract for 2026 but his management has remained hopeful of striking a deal with Brisbane.
It's been speculated he could earn big money if he goes to market and fields offers from rival clubs.
