NRL 2021: Alex Glenn set to be named Broncos captain

New Broncos coach Kevin Walters wiped the captaincy slate clean over summer but after assessing a number of contenders, has landed on Brisbane’s top dog.

Alex Glenn Will play in his testimonial this weekend. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A re-born Alex Glenn has won the battle for the Brisbane captaincy, staving off a number of challengers to become the first Broncos skipper under coach Kevin Walters’ new regime at Red Hill.

The Courier-Mail understands Glenn has done enough to convince Walters of his leadership claims as he prepares to celebrate his testimonial trial against the Cowboys on Saturday night at Dolphin Stadium.

Watch Live & On-Demand coverage of NRL pre-season trial matches on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Walters did not name a captain when Brisbane’s team was released on Tuesday, but Glenn will be given the honour of leading out the Broncos in a final pre-season trial that will pay homage to his decorated 267-game career.

The more emphatic coronation will come next week, with Glenn to be unveiled as Brisbane’s captain for the 2021 Telstra premiership in what could represent the off-contract forward’s swansong to rugby league.

Broncos veteran Alex Glenn almost joined Penrith two years ago.

While Glenn was Brisbane’s skipper last season, new coach Walters wiped the captaincy slate clean over summer, vowing to start again and assess a number of candidates led by Anthony Milford, Ben Te’o, Payne Haas and Andrew McCullough.

McCullough has since been released to the Dragons and Haas has been embroiled in off-field drama, while Milford has failed to stake a genuine claim after fracturing his hand in pre-season.

Walters has not formally settled on his captain at this stage and will spend the next week finalising his skipper before going to the Broncos board for formal approval.

But only an eleventh-hour bombshell will prevent Glenn being anointed as Brisbane’s top dog — continuing a remarkable turnaround for the 32-year-old, who was on the verge of joining Penrith two seasons ago.

Broncos chief executive Paul White lauded Glenn’s influence on his peers and contribution to the club since his Brisbane debut in 2009.

“I think Lexi will do a wonderful job if he is given the captaincy role,” White said.

“It was hard to take on that role with the year we had (last season). There will be a little less pressure on the group this year.

“The thing I love about Alex Glenn is his commitment to the club and he always has a smile on his face.

“Those players are infectious. If you have a conversation with Lexi you feel better after it.

“He captained our under-20s team and has leadership ability. He is always learning.

“He should be proud of his career and make the most of this year.

“I hope he takes a leaf out of (former skipper) Darren Lockyer’s book and squeeze the juice out of the orange.”

Glenn needs just eight games this season to leapfrog Michael Hancock (274) into fourth place on Brisbane‘s all-time list of appearances, behind only Lockyer (355), Corey Parker (347) and Sam Thaiday (304).

Incredibly, Glenn was almost shown the door by Brisbane at the end of 2019. He nearly inked a two-year deal with Penrith, but now stands to finish his career as a Broncos skipper.

Glenn hasn’t ruled out playing on next year but insists he will not be selfish as he weighs up possible retirement.

“Mentally, I have the passion to play another two years, but physically it‘s whether the body can hold on,” he said.

“I don’t want to be that player who says you know what, I should have retired, I went a year too long.

“I would love to get the captaincy again — it’s quite surreal how it’s all turned around for me.

“Thankfully I didn’t rush into a decision to sign with Penrith, I relied on my form and football to handle it and the Broncos kept me, then I got given the captaincy.

“I feel blessed to be able to say I‘m a one-club man. I will see how I go in the first half of the season and then I will make a call on my future.”