EXCLUSIVE: Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns float South Sydney as 'best fit' for Selwyn Cobbo as Dragons abandon chase

A pair of league legends have floated the Rabbitohs as a potential landing pad for Selwyn Cobbo as the Dragons pull out of the race for his signature.

Cobbo will leave the Broncos at season's end after being offered a lowball $300,000-per-season contract to stay.

He was hosted by the Dragons at Wollongong last week. But according to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Dragons have now withdrawn their interest to avoid becoming a pawn in a bidding war.

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The club had given Cobbo's team a June 30 deadline to sign, and pulled the pin when it became clear that was not going to be met.

The Dolphins have also said they have no interest, but the Cowboys are keen.

But as the Dragons abandon the chase, a pair of league greats have both suggested the Wayne Bennett-led Rabbitohs could be the perfect place for Cobbo to flourish.

From the tiny town of Cherbourg, four hours north-west of Brisbane, Cobbo has often battled homesickness.

"He's one of those players when he's not motivated, he doesn't look like he puts in that much effort," Brad Fittler explained while subbing for Phil Gould on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus.

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"It's mostly got to that stage where if (the Broncos) aren't giving him any love ... he's the type of bloke you need to cuddle – you need to give a bit of love.

"When you look at Wayne Bennett, he has that wonderful ability to get those people going. Not all coaches can do that, nor is it part of their nature.

"You've got to cuddle him. You've got to get him going. You've got to get him motivated, because if you don't, it's a waste of time.

"You always hear he misses home sometimes, and at the end of the day, you just need them to perform well. Not everyone is the same.

"Wayne would get a great response out of him - and other coaches would - but Wayne has a track record for having the ability to bring the best out of those players."

Andrew Johns said the Bunnies are "the best fit" due to the number of indigenous players at the club who could rally around him.

"It's a delicate one how you manage Selwyn, and there's been no better than Wayne Bennett," he said on Nine's Immortal Behaviour.

"The way he manages (the) indigenous boys – Latrell, for instance. He lets Latrell go back to the farm, and there's that trust. Wayne trusts Latrell, and Latrell trusts Wayne.

"There are some Indigenous boys all through that club and the back line - Cody (Walker), (Jack) Wighton, Latrell, which would help Selwyn. That would be a good fit, probably the best fit.

"Whoever gets Selwyn, it's a good buy if you can get him focused, but he'll need some cuddles.

"Fingers crossed he gets that sorted, because he's such a talent."