Kristian Woolf has backed himself to get the best out of Selwyn Cobbo at the Dolphins after the out-of-favour Brisbane NRL star sealed his Red Hill exit.
The Dolphins on Friday announced Cobbo's arrival on a one-year deal for next season, despite chief executive Terry Reader pouring cold water on the prospect less than 24 hours earlier.
The six-time Queensland representative, who made his Test debut in 2023, has remained in reserve grade since a big loss to Manly in May and is in the final season of a deal worth an estimated $625,000 annually.
The Broncos' recent investment in outside backs Grant Anderson, Josiah Karapani and Kotoni Staggs all but sealed Cobbo's fate.
But the 23-year-old won't depart early, Broncos coach Michael Maguire adamant his backline ace would not be released before Monday's deadline and remained in first-grade contention.
The coach, who described negotiations to keep Cobbo at the club as "tricky", reckons there is another chapter to be written for the crowd favourite who boasts 48 tries in 80 Brisbane appearances.
"It's a tough one ... he's a great man but it's part of the game unfortunately," the Brisbane coach said.
"Selly and I have spoken and he wants to be here and wants to win a comp with the Broncos.
"He's got that opportunity.
"He has (rediscovered his love for footy) he's been out training with his teammates, got a smile on his face.
"Every player at some stage will go through a bit of adversity and Selly's just gone through that.
"Whether it's a circus or not, at least for Selly's sake ... I'm sure it'll give him the best opportunity."
Unless there's a change of heart, Cobbo will join the Dolphins in November for preseason training and team with strike weapons Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said there had been "a bit of movement all over the place" to fit the representative talent into their 2026 budget.
"Things are fairly tight ... it's a matter of getting him in," he said of the prospect of a longer deal ahead of the club's clash with South Sydney on Saturday.
"I know he's going to add to our team. I like everything I see about him as a bloke and a person."
The first-year NRL coach said he would relish the chance to realise Cobbo's full potential.
"That's my job as a coach, to get that out of him and I think we've got a very good environment here," he said.
"I'll back what we've got here ... I think we can really help him."
Woolf said Tabuai-Fidow would remain the club's first-choice fullback but Cobbo's versatility would be a huge asset.
"Twelve months ago he's playing State of Origin and he's got so many tools to him," the coach said.
"A big athletic body ... even his poor games he's taken 20, 21 carries.
"He's one of those blokes who can do things that other people can't.
"Every one of our games (we've lost) against the Broncos, he's come up with a play that's had a big impact."