Selwyn Cobbo to Depart Broncos, but He’s Not the Only High-Profile Talent Up for Grabs in 2026

The potential departure of Selwyn Cobbo from the Brisbane Broncos has turned into a hot topic within the rugby league community. The representative star, who not long ago was viewed as a million-dollar prospect, is not the only prominent player currently facing uncertainty.

Reports suggest that Cobbo is poised to leave Brisbane, potentially by the end of this season or before June 30. Both the Dragons and Cowboys are reportedly keen to secure his signature.

The 23-year-old was presented with a surprisingly low contract offer to stay at Red Hill, as the club has decided to focus on extending contracts for Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds instead.

Additionally, the Broncos are exploring a contract renewal for Josiah Karapani, who has recently been preferred over Cobbo for a spot in the first-grade side.

Cobbo would undoubtedly be a valuable asset for several teams across the NRL, but he isn’t the only notable player available for the 2026 season.

In today’s game, it’s quite uncommon for high-profile talent to remain available midway through the season for the following year, yet many seasoned players, rising stars, and even some representative players find themselves in that position.

Wide World of Sports highlights 10 of the finest players currently free to sign for the upcoming season.

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Toby Sexton – Bulldogs

Notably, aside from Cobbo, Toby Sexton’s name has been prominent in recent headlines and speculation.

Leading the Bulldogs to the top spot in the NRL this season, Sexton’s position has come under scrutiny following the acquisition of Lachlan Galvin.

The 23-year-old has been rumoured to be linked with Galvin’s former club, the Wests Tigers, alongside several other teams, particularly the Dragons, Knights, and Titans, who could benefit from a reliable No.7, making Sexton a valuable candidate.

In this season alone, Sexton has recorded six try assists and averages 66 run metres per game. His kicking game has also been outstanding with 10 forced dropouts and an average kick distance of 342 metres, effectively complementing Matt Burton’s towering bombs.

Although there’s still a chance Sexton may extend his time at Belmore, the signing of Galvin and the presence of teenager Mitch Woods suggest it’s increasingly unlikely.

The Bulldogs are also faced with decisions regarding winger Blake Wilson and prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita, both of whom have fluctuated in and out of the 17 this season.

Will Kennedy – Sharks

Will Kennedy made a strong start to the season and was even near the top of the Dally M leaderboard before the competition was halted, yet uncertainty looms over his future with the Sharks.

Although Kennedy may not be the most conspicuous fullback in the league, he has consistently contributed to the Sharks’ performance over his career, featuring in several finals. Nevertheless, questions regarding his role in a championship-winning spine have led to Cronulla being hesitant to extend his contract.

Interestingly, this has arguably been Kennedy’s most consistent season, and the team’s recent difficulties could be more reflective of their halfback combination than his contributions.

It is likely that the 28-year-old will re-sign, at least for a short term, particularly given fellow fullback Kade Dykes’ injury issues.

Quality fullbacks are a rarity, and the Sharks currently have few alternatives.

Tommy Talau – Sea Eagles

This year has posed challenges for Manly winger Tommy Talau, who is coming off what was arguably his best season in 2024 after a string of injuries at the Wests Tigers.

This year, he has managed only six appearances in the top grade and has been caught in a struggling Sea Eagles side. Tom Trbojevic’s shift to centre has raised questions about Talau’s spot in the first-choice backline, which leaves him without a contract for the next season.

However, Talau does have connections to another club: his father, Willie, coaches the NSW Cup for the Dragons, who have openly expressed interest in enhancing their outside backs.

This season, the spotlight has largely focussed on Daly Cherry-Evans, who seems to be heading to the Roosters to conclude his career.

Manly also has Ethan Bullemor, Jazz Tevaga, Toafofoa Sipley, and Josh Aloiai currently without contracts, with Aloiai considering a potential medical retirement.

Jake Clifford – Cowboys

Jake Clifford is currently in a peculiar situation with the Cowboys, and it’s challenging to decipher where he stands in the club’s future plans.

After being part of a side that narrowly missed out on the prelim finals last year, he initially found himself sidelined as Todd Payten opted for young prospect Tom Duffy in the No.7 jersey. However, that arrangement was short-lived as Clifford soon returned to the starting line-up.

Clifford took on a primary playmaking role, contributing to four wins and a draw over seven consecutive games, before being dropped in favour of a backline reshuffle with Jaxon Purdue at No.6 and Tom Dearden at No.7.

That experiment was brief as well, and now heading into round 16, Clifford has resumed duty in the halves alongside Dearden in a crucial match.

His experience and dependability make him a valuable asset, but Clifford may also desire to be seen as more than just a temporary option.

At just 27, Clifford has plenty of football left in him and may seek a fresh start with a new team where his long kicking proficiency could be of significant advantage.

North Queensland also has veteran prop Jordan McLean off-contract in 2026.

Josh Kerr – Dolphins

Beloved off the field and a genuine game changer on it, Josh Kerr is currently set to become a free agent heading into 2026.

His career has been a rollercoaster, with considerable hype accompanying him during his time at the Melbourne Storm. However, he made his first-grade debut only after joining the Dragons.

The tall front-rower struggled to find steady playing time in the Red V and has faced challenges even back at his junior club in Redcliffe.

Earlier this year, Kerr expressed to Code Sports that he “won’t allow himself to be taken advantage of by his club again” when discussing his situation with the Dolphins, hinting at experiences at previous clubs.

Kerr is adamant about wanting to stay in 2026 but won’t dismiss the idea of exploring opportunities elsewhere if things don’t unfold as he wishes. The Phins’ management, including Kristian Woolf, faces significant retention decisions, with veteran forwards Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, and Mark Nicholls also off-contract at season’s end, alongside Kerr.

Kobe Hetherington – Broncos

Kobe Hetherington appeared to be on the fringe at the end of last year, yet he has garnered significant trust from Michael Maguire since his appointment as Broncos coach.

The 26-year-old kicked off the season at lock, a move that shifted representative player Pat Carrigan to the front row, but that strategy has been revised in the previous two matches, contributing to back-to-back wins.

Although Hetherington’s form has dipped and he has averaged less than 70 metres per game, he continues to be a reliable defender in the middle of the field.

Tenacious players like Hetherington are essential to any club, and while it would be surprising if the Broncos let him slip away, his early-season performances didn’t quite light up the field.

If Brisbane choose to explore other options, he could still serve as a dependable pickup for another club, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Corey Jensen‘s future.

Jack de Belin – Dragons

As of Wednesday morning, when this article was written, the former Origin forward was a free agent, just a season away from potentially becoming the most-capped player in Dragons history. However, that changed later that afternoon when The Sydney Morning Herald reported his move to Parramatta on a two-year contract.

De Belin, 34, has arguably been the standout performer for the Dragons this season and has certainly earned an extension, despite nearing the end of his playing days. His excellent form caught the attention of the Eels.

The Dragons may have decided to part ways with him due to the rise of promising young forwards, the Couchman brothers and Loko Pasifiki Tonga.

David Klemmer is also a name to watch at the Dragons, as he is without a contract beyond this season and may be in line for an extension to guide the emerging talents.

Tui Kamikamica – Storm

Interest is already brewing from the Broncos, and there’s a significant chance that other clubs may soon come knocking for the Fijian powerhouse.

The 31-year-old has been a key figure in the Melbourne team for almost a decade, but salary cap challenges may leave him vulnerable.

Craig Bellamy has a wealth of younger forwards vying for positions, potentially pushing Kamikamica lower on the pecking order, especially with new contracts looming for them.

Although Kamikamica has an option in his contract, given that it favours the club and they have yet to activate it, his future with the Storm appears uncertain.

Adam Doueihi – Tigers

Having only signed a budget-friendly, one-year extension after a tough injury period, Adam Doueihi is once again in the open market.

The 26-year-old is a fiercely competitive player, and his versatility makes him a significant asset for the club. However, the Tigers have yet to pursue a long-term deal to keep him.

For the majority of the season, Doueihi has played in the centres and has performed adequately, averaging five line breaks and 108 running metres per game

He’s the kind of player that Benji Marshall may want to retain to mentor the younger talents on the team, but whether they will take action remains to be seen.

A wildcard in the Tigers’ outside backs is new recruit Taylan May, who is only on a train-and-trial contract for the remainder of 2025.

If the former Panthers star can rediscover his best form, an extension would likely follow, complicating Doueihi’s future further.

Josh Schuster – Rabbitohs

On the contract front, Josh Schuster is among the players to watch. Not only is he yet to take the field for the Rabbitohs, but he has also taken a leave of absence.

One of the most gifted players in the sport when he is on form, Schuster’s career is currently at a crossroads, and his contract with South Sydney is set to expire at the end of 2025.

If he opts to continue his playing career, Wayne Bennett might consider retaining him at Redfern—but there’s no certainty in that regard.

Souths also have other significant decisions to make. With Siliva Havili also off-contract and potentially limited playing time at hooker, and with Peter Mamouzelos, Bronson Garlick, and Brandon Smith in the mix, retaining the Tongan international could be challenging.