Big prediction for Broncos ‘nightmare’; champs’ latest evolution underway: Talking Points
South Sydney dropped their second straight to start the season and with an important grudge match next up, one expert believes Jason Demetriou must consider a halves shake-up.
The Cowboys escaped with a one-point win thanks to a herculean performance from their new leader, prompting Matty Johns to make a massive call.
The Dragons could be set to make some changes after Shane Flanagan admitted he was “disappointed” with his team’s ugly turnaround.
Meanwhile, the Benji era started with a heavy loss in the nation’s capital which could lead a new recruit straight to the chopping block.
Selwyn Cobbo is taking no time to settle into his new role as a centre with the young Broncos star coming up with a couple of big moments in the opening weeks of the competition.
Cobbo has shifted to left centre this season to replace the departed Herbie Farnworth and while he’s still got some work to do defensively, he’s proven he’s going to be a major strike weapon for the Broncos this season.
So much so, Matty Johns has made a big call about the 21-year-old’s future.
“What he’s doing at left centre, I think by the end of his career — with the trajectory of his career — he could end up one of the Broncos’ greatest centres,” he said on The Late Show.
It came after Cobbo tore up the Rabbitohs’ defence in the Broncos’ win on Thursday night. He finished that game with a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, eight tackle busts, two offloads and 164 running metres. He also made 16 tackles with just one miss.
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis was equally impressed with Cobbo’s performance and singled out his “unbelievable” tap on pass to set up Jesse Arthars for a try.
“To have that patience and time… Going into the centres, I thought how’s he going to do defensively but in attack he’s been a nightmare,” he said.
PANTHERS ‘WILL TAKE TIME’ TO REPLACE OUTGOING STARS
No team has seen as many star players leave in the past few seasons than the Penrith Panthers, the back-to-back-to-back premiers.
It’s the price you pay for success, but to remain at the top despite all the turnover and departures of star players is a feat that can’t be understated.
After winning their third straight title in 2023, Penrith bid farewell to arguably the world’s best centre Stephen Crichton and rampaging forward Spencer Leniu from the side that played in the grand final against Brisbane.
