Brisbane re-sign veteran backrower Alex Glenn until the end of 2019

BRISBANE have staved off interest from three rival clubs to re-sign veteran backrower Alex Glenn until the end of 2019.

Alex Glenn at Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

BRISBANE have continued their $3 million retention drive with former Kiwi Test star Alex Glenn rejecting interest from three NRL rivals to remain at the Broncos until the end of 2019.

Glenn has agreed to terms on a two-year extension as Brisbane super coach Wayne Bennett outlined plans to keep the unheralded utility at the Broncos for life.

It is understood the Broncos will formally announce Glenn’s retention, on a deal worth around $400,000-a-season, on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old stood to earn more elsewhere after receiving $1 million-plus packages from NRL rivals, including two Sydney-based clubs, but Glenn has sacrificed dollars in the pursuit of premierships.

The Broncos have now upgraded five key members of their squad in recent months, including Glenn, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Corey Oates and Anthony Milford — the club’s first $1 million player.

Bennett signed Glenn as a teenager just before leaving the Broncos to coach the Dragons in 2009 and lauded the Gold Coast product’s loyalty in knocking back more lucrative NRL offers.

“Alex had a number of clubs chasing him but he was pretty loyal to us,” Bennett said.

“Like many of the guys here, he has taken less to stay here. That’s what makes this club special, we gave Alex a deal that was fair and he wants to play in a successful team.

“He came through the under-20s and he’s gone on to have an excellent career.

“We were keen to have Alex finish his career with us and he has always been a great clubman. Hopefully we can keep him here for good.”

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A veteran of 206 NRL games, Glenn has been a revelation this season, scoring a crucial try in Brisbane’s 30-20 defeat of the Raiders last Saturday night.

The hard-running Kiwi is one of the youngest leaders in NRL history, skippering the Broncos senior team as a 22-year-old, and has also represented New Zealand in 12 Tests.

“Alex was the captain of our first ever National Youth Competition team back in 2008, so to have him recommit to our club is a wonderful thing for the Broncos,’’ Broncos chief executive Paul White said.

“We have watched Alex grow from a teenager from Auckland and the Gold Coast into a Test player and a fine young family man.”

Glenn last turned out for the Kiwis in 2015 but is eyeing selection for the end-of-season World Cup after an ultra-consistent 2017 campaign that has seen him clinch another Broncos contract.

Glenn has been with the Broncos since 2009.

The deal will ensure Glenn, who turns 29 later this month, will chalk up a decade of NRL service after his top-grade debut in 2009.

“He was one my last signings before I went to the Dragons, I drove to the Gold Coast with Andrew Gee and met his mum and him,” Bennett said.

“When I came back (in 2015), I told him I didn’t think he was playing anywhere near what his potential was.

“He responded to that challenge and whatever job I give him Alex does it — he is one of the most versatile players in the game.”