Unwanted by the Brisbane Broncos, Selwyn Cobbo has thrived since his move to the Dolphins at the start of the year, reigniting his career and silencing doubts about his form.
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Rediscovering his confidence on the football field, Cobbo has become a key weapon in the Dolphins’ back-line with his damaging carries and finishing ability on the edge.
Receiving a fresh start under coach Kristian Woolf, his change of environment has proven decisive and he even earned a recall to the Queensland Maroons, where he has arguably been one of their best performers in Games I and II.
“He’s been outstanding for the Dolphins all season. He’s been arguably the player of the season so far in Origin,” foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley said on NRL 360.
“He was unwanted last year by the Broncos (and) dropped to reserve grade, basically pushed out of the club.
“Selwyn’s responded to a little bit of love. He’s feeling it from Kristain Woolf, and I think we all knew that Selwyn was that sort of player.”
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As Cobbo continues to excel, the discussion has inevitably shifted back to Michael Maguire, his coaching methods and the club’s decision-making during his time as coach.
Crawley argued that Cobbo was “pushed out of the club” by Maguire.
“He didn’t have to get away from Brisbane. He had to get away from Madge. It wasn’t working with Madge,” Crawley added.
“I think different coaches will treat it different ways. He [Maguire] went there and he got the job done.
“He got them the premiership they hadn’t been able to get since 2006, but you can kind of see it fall apart before our eyes and it happened at Souths (too).”
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However, Code Sports reporter David Riccio disagreed with the comments, pushing back that the outside back’s departure was purely down to Maguire.
Riccio revealed that the situation was more complex than just a fallout with his coach that couldn’t be fixed.
“I disagree, Crawls. We see players move clubs all the time and this move has saved his career,” Riccio said.
“He needed to get out of the Broncos, off-field, he needed some help and needed to get out of Brisbane.
“It’s with the Dolphins where he’s found a home, but the fact that he has moved on is a byproduct of his success right now.”
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Riccio wasn’t the only one to back Maguire’s coaching methods.
Former premiership-winning playmaker Luke Keary also defended his former coach but highlighted that not all players can compete and train under the same intensity and high standards that comes with his system.
“I’ve been with Madge. I love him won a grand final wth him and I know the environment he creates and it takes a toll on certain players,” Luke Keary said
To which NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta replied, “That’s valid point but you can’ underestimate Selwyn.”
“There were rumours around disciplinary reasons that weren’t okay, they were letting the team down, letting the group down, not setting the standards over a period of time.
“He’s doing great now and he’s shining underneath Krisitan Woolf but there’s got to be a line in the sand.”