The Brisbane Broncos have signed Grant Anderson from the Melbourne Storm in a move that might spell bad news for Selwyn Cobbo or Kotoni Staggs. With the Broncos signing Ben Hunt this week and adding his contract to big salaries for Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, it appears likely that one of Cobbo or Staggs might have to leave.

New coach Michael Maguire has declared he wants both centres to stay and thinks the club can fit them under the salary cap. But the signing of Anderson for 2026 appears to be a contingency plan.

The 25-year-old has scored 12 tries in 24 games with the Storm, and is a much cheaper option than Cobbo and Staggs. The Broncos centres have both played State of Origin and for Australia, and would command big dollars on the open market, with rival clubs likely to throw up to $1 million per year at them.

Reports emerged recently that Cobbo has had to lower his asking price to stay at the Broncos, who have put contract talks on hold until after the pre-season is done. But Maguire is hopeful neither of Cobbo or Staggs will have to leave.

“They are two players I would like to keep. That is part of the salary cap,” Maguire said earlier this month. “Sitting down and going through that is not up to me. I will let the powers that be sort through that part, but those two players are world class.”

Michael Maguire hoping to get Selwyn Cobbo back to best

Cobbo has been hot and cold throughout his short career, but Maguire is confident he can get the best out of the 22-year-old. “He is strong, and in my opinion I can really help him grow his game,” Maguire said. “Selwyn is young. You can see the talent he’s had here at the Broncos and when he’s played for Queensland he is destructive.

“Myself, personally, I feel as though I can help him grow as a player and a person as well. That is what I enjoy doing … growing individuals. There is a bit of work to do, as we know inside these walls, but that is something we will set out to do. “There is always room for improvement in any player. Everyone will go through ups and downs of a pre-season.

As for Staggs the new coach said: “Kotoni definitely wants to be a Bronco and has spoken to me about what the club means to him. Those players we want to keep here, hang on to and keep growing as Broncos.”