The Brisbane Broncos have a major recruitment headache with strike centres Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo both off-contract on November 1.
The pair are rated as two of the best centres in the NRL and would expect to be in demand when on the open market. While the Broncos would love to keep both, it is unlikely considering salary cap constraints the club is facing.
The club are already paying large money to their star trio of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, and Ezra Mam, while superstar fullback Reece Walsh is expected to sign a multi-million-dollar extension very soon.
Broncos’ great Corey Parker has said how much the club would love to keep both players.
“They’ll be hard to keep those two. I don’t think they’ll be able keep both of them, but fingers crossed they can,” Parker told Breakfast with Pat & Heals*.
“You probably work out who’s gonna be there for the longer period of time and who’s gonna cost you what.
“It’s gonna be really difficult on who they wanna keep going forward.”
Given the attacking prowess of both centres, and their versatility, it is expected multiple clubs would be keen on signing either of the pair.
“I reckon if they went to an open market… Cobbo would fetch more than Staggs at the minute because of his ability to go back to fullback like Joey Manu,” Parker said.
“Cobbo’s got a real good, slick sleight of hand… and can come up with an aerial leap and break tackles, and then you’ve got Staggs who’s just aggressive and I love everything about Kotoni Staggs.
“So, two very good centres who can create on either side of the park.”
Both players will line up in the centres in tonight’s Battle of Brisbane, as the Broncos challenge The Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.