At the Brisbane Broncos’ 2025 season presentation night, the club marked both celebration and transition. The biggest headline of the evening was Payne Haas being awarded the Paul Morgan Medal for the sixth time in seven seasons — another crowning achievement in a career already rich with loyalty and dominance at Red Hill.
But the night also carried a somber tone, as the Broncos formally farewelled a number of players whose next chapters lie elsewhere. The club expressed its gratitude to each departing player, acknowledging their contributions on and off the field.
Below is a look back at the departing squad members, their journeys with Brisbane, and what awaits them next.
Departures
Kobe Hetherington → Sea Eagles
A homegrown product, Kobe Hetherington has been synonymous with the Broncos’ forward pack in recent years. He first broke into the NRL side in 2021, and by 2025 he had celebrated his 100th game for Brisbane.
His outgoing move to the Manly Sea Eagles marks the end of a chapter, but Hetherington leaves with pride, having given consistent effort in the engine room and serving as a reliable, tough edge forward for Brisbane. His departure will leave a hole in the forwards rotation — one the Broncos will hope to fill with youth or incoming talent.
Tyson Smoothy → Wakefield Trinity
Tyson Smoothy has been a valuable utility forward since joining the Broncos in 2023. Over 42 games, he displayed versatility, often covering bench minutes while managing stints in different forward roles.
Smoothy’s move to Wakefield Trinity in the English Super League gives him a fresh stage and a chance to take on new challenges. For Brisbane, losing a dependable utility forward is a blow — the kind of depth piece that often goes unnoticed until needed.
Selwyn Cobbo → Dolphins
One of the more notable exits is Selwyn Cobbo, who will be crossing the city to join the Dolphins. Cobbo’s speed, attacking threat, and youthful potential made him an asset for Brisbane’s backline.
While the exact motives of the move likely include contract, opportunity, and long-term career strategy, his exit will sting among Broncos fans. The club loses a homegrown outside-back with X-factor — a player who, at his best, could break a game open.
Jock Madden → Wests Tigers
Jock Madden had stints through the Broncos’ squad in 2025, providing options in the halves and spine rotation.
Madden will return to the Wests Tigers in 2026. For Brisbane, his departure signals that the club is ready to commit more fully to other playmaking options. His role was always one of support and depth, and losing that kind of cover will sharpen the need for reliability in the remaining halves roster.
Israel Leota → Rugby / Moana Pasifika
Perhaps the most unusual departure is Israel Leota, who is switching codes and heading into rugby, linking up with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific.
