Brisbane winger Selwyn Cobbo has started the season on fire and his close ally and mentor Steve Renouf has noted key signs of his rapid growth, with the best yet to come.
Cobbo's hat-trick in the 50-14 drubbing of the Roosters last week was his first since 2023, when the 22-year-old notched three hat-tricks in a 20-try season on the wing. Last year, playing mostly centre, he scored just six tries.
Renouf was concerned about the negativity directed at Cobbo in 2024 when his form wasn't at its usual standard. The same could be said for the entire side.
Cobbo said recently at a Broncos media session that he had struggled mentally and physically with the grind of the NRL, but he was now thriving under new coach Michael Maguire after losing 7kg in the pre-season.
Renouf, the Broncos' best-ever centre, has always believed Cobbo had the makings of an elite centre. He was delighted when the Cherbourg product was chosen in that position last year.
However, Brisbane's all-time leading try-scorer supported Maguire's decision to switch Cobbo back to wing this year for one very good reason.
"Selwyn is a freakish natural talent who could play anywhere," Renouf told AAP.
"A lot of people seemed to be waiting for him to fail (in 2024) and jumped all over him when he did something wrong, but I kept telling them he is only young and is still maturing.
"He is maturing quickly too. I am really impressed with his conditioning and the weight he has lost. It just shows how hard he has worked and that he has the mentality to be a consistent first-grader in the NRL
"He is naturally a big boy and has trimmed right down. He has already played Origin for Queensland and for Australia. He is only going to get stronger and tougher, both physically and in the head.
"Selwyn has bubbled along and always done well, but his best is to come."
One of Cobbo's tries against the Roosters, his 46th in just 69 games, involved him scooping up a kick at high speed with silky hands. It was a move few would have attempted, let alone nailed so effortlessly.
"Against the Roosters he just backed himself, and that is another sign of maturity," Renouf said.
"The thing I like is that he loves contact too. He is not frightened."
Cobbo's recent trip to his home town and former school in Cherbourg with Maguire recharged his batteries. He is off-contract at the end of the year and the Broncos want to keep him long-term. Renouf, who grew up in Murgon near Cherbourg, hopes that occurs.
"I think it was great that Madge (Maguire) went up to Cherbourg with him to spend time in the community. It shows Madge is in touch with the boys and what makes them tick, which is good," Renouf said.
"We had our Deadly Choices NRL launch recently and Selwyn told me he was looking forward to heading home to see the family.
"Selwyn grew up following the Broncos and has a big following himself out there at Cherbourg.
"I really didn't have a choice in 1988 apart from the Gold Coast. The Broncos were it for me.
"Selwyn has Redcliffe (the Dolphins) as an option, but ultimately I think he is a young Bronco at heart. I think he is more comfortable here than anywhere else."
