Former Brisbane Broncos star Denan Kemp has stirred up major controversy after publicly criticising the St George Illawarra Dragons over their failed bid to sign Selwyn Cobbo before the NRL’s June 30 transfer deadline.
Cobbo, who has been one of the most exciting young talents in the NRL, was officially announced as a Dolphins signing on Friday in a move that sent shockwaves across the league. The 21-year-old will join Wayne Bennett’s side on a one-year deal starting in 2026, but drama has erupted around a potential mid-season transfer that never came to fruition.
Appearing on SEN Radio on Friday morning, Denan Kemp did not mince words, revealing that the Broncos were open to releasing Cobbo immediately—under one major condition: he could not join the Dolphins, their fiercest rivals in Queensland.
> “I’ve heard from a very reliable source that the Broncos were ready to let Cobbo go before the deadline,” Kemp said. “But there was one club they wouldn’t deal with—and that was the Dolphins.”
The Dolphins and Broncos have developed one of the fiercest rivalries in recent times, with both clubs based in Brisbane. So it comes as no surprise that Brisbane were unwilling to let one of their most prized players strengthen a rival mid-season.
The Dragons, meanwhile, had shown strong interest in signing Cobbo before the deadline. However, they abruptly withdrew from negotiations on Thursday, claiming they believed Cobbo had no real intention of leaving Queensland.
But Kemp wasn’t buying that narrative.
“Let’s be real,” Kemp said. “If the Dragons had pushed properly, he would’ve been theirs for the rest of the season. I get that fans are bitter, but they shouldn’t blame the player—blame your management.”
He further added that the Dragons’ hesitation and poor communication essentially handed the Dolphins a clear path to finalise a future deal.
> “Dragons fans are right to be frustrated,” Kemp continued. “But they need to point the finger where it belongs. The club didn’t act decisively. The window was open and they let it shut.”
The public backlash from some Dragons supporters has grown since the news broke, with many venting their frustration online. Several fans took to social media questioning why the club didn’t push harder to secure the young star’s services—even if just for the remainder of this season.
Selwyn Cobbo has remained quiet on the situation, only issuing a brief statement through the Dolphins on Friday.
> “I’m grateful to the Broncos for everything, and I’m looking forward to a new challenge next year with the Dolphins,” he said.
As for the Broncos, the club has not made an official comment on Kemp’s remarks, but insiders confirm that Cobbo’s departure was carefully managed to avoid strengthening their local rivals during the 2024 campaign.
For the Dragons, this saga is yet another blow in a season full of frustration. And with Cobbo now officially out of reach, the pressure is squarely on the club’s management to answer the hard questions.
Kemp’s message to the Dragons was blunt but clear:
“Don’t blame the kid for choosing Queensland. Blame theones in charge who let him slip away.”
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