NRL 2021: How Broncos skipper Alex Glenn almost signed with Panthers

Alex Glenn has been named Brisbane’s captain for the 2021 season but he was on the verge of reluctantly joining a powerful Sydney club two years ago.

It was the sliding doors moment that saved Alex Glenn’s career at the Broncos.

Officially crowned as Brisbane’s full-time captain for the 2021 premiership, Glenn will lead the Broncos out in their final pre-season trial against the Cowboys on Saturday night, which doubles as his testimonial to honour a glittering 267-game career.

But if not for a freak injury involving his former teammate Matt Gillett, Glenn would be living a very different life some 940km away at the Panthers.

The year was 2019 and Gillett had just inked a rich four-year deal with the Broncos. It left no room in the salary cap for the off-contract Glenn, who was so resigned to finding a new home and he flew to Sydney for talks with Penrith officials.

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Alex Glenn was named captain of the Broncos last year just months after almost joining Penrith. Picture: Peter Wallis

But when Gillett dropped a bombshell by retiring at the end of 2019 after a battle with neck and shoulder injuries, Glenn received a stay of execution. In his heart, he never wanted to be lost to the Broncos.

Within months, Darius Boyd was then sacked as captain, catapulting Glenn from the outhouse to the Broncos penthouse as skipper.

“That was two years ago that I nearly left,” Glenn said ahead of his testimonial at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium. “That’s part of this business.

“There is always that uncertainty in this game of whether you will get a new contract or have to move on.

“I thought I was gone. I went down to Penrith and checked out the club. I met their CEO and the Panthers guys were great blokes. They offered me a two-year contract and at that time I had nothing on the table from the Broncos, so it looked like it was a certainty that I was moving down.

“Then there was that freak accident with Matt Gillett, he had to retire due to his injuries and the door opened for me again at the Broncos.”

Glenn may lack the aura of Gorden Tallis or Darren Lockyer but his contribution to the Broncos is remarkable.

Alex Glenn almost left the Broncos in 2019. Picture: John Gass

He needs just eight more games to leapfrog Michael Hancock (274) and become the fourth most-capped Bronco in history, behind only Lockyer (355), Corey Parker (347) and Sam Thaiday (304).

In his 14 years at the Broncos, the father of three has not been embroiled in a single off-field incident that has tarnished Brisbane’s brand. He is the ultimate NRL role model.

“I have a lot of respect for Alex, he typifies what a Broncos player is,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said. “He gives his all every week and it’s all about the team.

“It’s not just about on the field, off it he is a great dad, a great family person, he is squeaky clean behaviour-wise and an ideal leader for us.

“We want Alex to have a year to remember and he has earnt the right to captain this club.”