Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston has urged Kevin Walters to consider moving Selwyn Cobbo to fullback, to aid Brisbane‘s stuttering attack.
“They’ve got strike, they’ve just got to figure out when’s best to get them the ball,” Thurston told 4BC’s WWOS radio.
“I can’t put my finger on why Selwyn isn’t playing fullback. Tesi Niu, a great young talent but he’s just struggled to light it up there at the back.
“I think he’s still developing and with him in the team at fullback, they just don’t have any points in them.”
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Thurston said Niu needed some time in Queensland Cup to develop, and that former Dragons winger Jordan Pereira should come in on the wing to accommodate Cobbo’s shift.
“He’s got a strong carry out of the backfield as well, which is what they need – they get that with Corey Oates, and then you’ve got Selwyn who can sniff around the middle there.
“If there’s an offload from Payne Haas you need to find your strike players, and you can’t find your strike players on the wing.”
The Broncos have struggled for points across the opening month of the season, their 45 points the third-lowest total in the league, only ahead of the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers.
Thurston said Cobbo could go a long way to kick-starting that.
“He’s a game-breaker. He can score points from anywhere, he can create opportunities, and I just can’t see that with Tesi Niu at the back.
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“He [Cobbo] has all the attributes to be a long-term player. He’s still growing and developing into his body, but I think he’s their long-term fullback.
“They’re delaying his athleticism and skillset for that position by just putting them on the wing.”
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