Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has backed Selwyn Cobbo to fill some huge grand final shoes and also declared Adam Reynolds must live up to his price tag in 2024.
Cobbo will get first crack at replacing Herbie Farnworth in the centres and Tallis believes the young indigenous superstar can become the next Greg Inglis.
Farnworth and Tom Flegler have joined cross-town rivals the Dolphins, while fellow grand final stars Kurt Capewell (Warriors) and Keenan Palasia (Titans) have also departed.
They’ve only signed two players which means marquee man Reynolds won’t have the same strike power around him this season when Brisbane chase their first premiership in 18 years.
Tallis admits Farnworth and Fleger are huge losses but he backed the Broncos’ depth and said the journey back to the decider starts with Cobbo bursting out of the blocks.
“Those two players (Farnworth and Fleger), the way they finished the season, most NRL clubs would love to have them and Redcliffe have them now and it’s a new challenge for Brisbane,” Tallis told foxsports.com.au.
“Cobbo is such a young talent, he’s like Greg Inglis. He’s been compared to Greg as one of those guys that are just natural footballers and he’s just still so young and raw and the more football he plays the more experience he gets, the better he’s going to be.
“It’s going to be new for him and he’ll make some mistakes but there’s no doubt he’ll end up slotting into that position well, without a doubt.
As for replacing Flegler, I like Xavier Willison, I watched him play against the Dogs last year, he’s such a big body and can wreak a bit of havoc.
“With Willison it’s about playing quality minutes because he’s just so raw, and that will come down to how hard he’s worked this pre-season.”
Tallis controversially criticised Reynolds for failing to ice the grand final despite leading 24-8 with 18 minutes to play.
Tallis warned the club against rushing to offer Reynolds a contract extension for 2025 and he doubled down when foxsports.com.au asked if the halfback would be feeling the pressure to deliver a premiership this season.
“What are marquee men paid to do?” Tallis said.
“Look at the NFL, Lamar Jackson is going to get the MVP, he’s been the best player all year but he failed at the last hurdle. Patrick Mahomes was solid and he’s going to the Super Bowl, they call it game management.
“The fact is they bought Reynolds to win them a title so that’s what you’re judged on. When you’re a big player that’s what you’re judged on.
You’re not going to judge Selwyn Cobbon on that, you’re not even going to judge Reece Walsh on that. If Reece Walsh fails in a big moment when he’s 30, he’ll get the same.
“Payne Haas is paid to deliver, so is Pat Carrigan, you’re paid to do your job and Adam Reynolds is experienced in game management and if you break it down, he knows himself he’d be really disappointed.
