BREAKING NEWS: The head coach of the Brisbane Broncos has terminated his employment with the team following a background debate with management over…

When Herbie Farnworth confirmed he would exit the Brisbane Broncos at the end of the 2023 NRL campaign, there was a real sense that the position simply wouldn’t be able to be filled to the same standards.

There is little doubt about exactly how good Herbie Farnworth was last year.

Sure, Brisbane had plenty of key players on their run to a grand final appearance, but the performances of Farnworth – as well as fellow centre Kotoni Staggs on the other side of the park – simply had the Red Hill-based outfit built different to many squads in 2023.

But, one could argue that Cobbo’s performances have taken the Broncos to a whole new level in 2024.

A different level, one that has seen Brisbane’s edge become one of the dominant strike weapons in the competition.

There is little to no doubt that Brisbane will miss him this weekend as he sits on the sideline with an injury that coach Kevin Walters described as “benefiting from a week off.”

That quote would suggest the injury is not cause for concern, and, had it been a final this weekend, Cobbo would again be lining up in the centres.

While there were some questions early on about his defence and his work ethic – particularly with Brisbane on the back foot – these have well and truly been answered.

He is now a walk-up State of Origin starter, having scored a staggering 20 tries to go with an average of 147 metres per game last season.

Cobbo has long-term aspirations to play at fullback – that is well-known in rugby league circles – unsurprising given his talent and experience playing there from his time in juniors.

He will undoubtedly go well there if and when an opportunity presents itself, although that seems unlikely to be at the Broncos while Reece Walsh has a stranglehold on both the Brisbane and Queensland number one jersey.