NRL 2021: Incumbent Alex Glenn states case for Broncos captaincy as Kevin Walters reveals thinking

While his first taste of the captaincy didn’t go to plan, Broncos veteran Alex Glenn insists ‘I am the right guy to lead this group’ - and he’s been given some ringing endorsements.

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

Alex Glenn has appealed for Kevin Walters not to sack him as Broncos skipper as the new Brisbane coach prepares to unveil his captain to haul the NRL glamour club out of the premiership cellar.

Glenn skippered the Broncos to the wooden spoon last season but the prestigious leadership post is up for grabs after Walters wiped the captaincy slate clean following the sacking of his predecessor Anthony Seibold.

Walters has spent the past eight weeks putting Brisbane’s captaincy contenders under the microscope, in particular examining the prospects of Glenn, Anthony Milford, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Andrew McCullough.

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Alex Glenn is keen to lead the Broncos into the 2021 season.

In that time, several have fallen out of contention. Haas has been scratched following his alcohol-fuelled bust-up with police, Milford has suffered a broken hand that could see him miss round one, while McCullough is set to join the Dragons.

News Corp understands Walters is leaning towards maintaining the status quo and the off-contract Glenn urged the Broncos coach to keep the faith in what could be his 13th and final season at Red Hill.

“I still believe I am the right guy to lead this group,” said Glenn, who played just eight games last season in the most injury-plagued campaign of his decorated career.

“If Kevvie doesn’t want me (as captain), I would respect his decision and I wouldn’t change the way I try and help the younger guys.

“But ultimately I would like to keep the captaincy.

“It’s a massive honour to captain the club. I look at the captains who have led this club in the past and they are legends of the game. I just want to do everyone proud. I would never consider myself a legend like Allan Langer, Gorden Tallis and Locky, but it’s a huge honour to have the Broncos captaincy.

“I have a bit of redemption after the year I had last year. I had a number of injuries which kept me off the field and I believe I am the best type of captain when I am on the field leading with my actions.

“It’s hard to lead from the front when you can’t be out there to help the guys.

Kevin Walters is expected to make a captaincy decision just before round one.

“I want to go out there and play more games this season. That’s where I do my best work as captain.”

Walters concedes he would find it difficult to axe the veteran of 267 NRL games.

“Alex is in the box seat,” he said.

“What I have said to everyone is that I wanted to use this pre-season to sort out the captaincy and our leadership group.

“Alex is the frontrunner at this stage (for the captaincy).

“He has the experience and he has been a consistent player for the Broncos over a long period of time.

Alex Glenn says he likes to lead by example on the field.

“But Alex’s credentials are as good as anyone’s. That’s good signs for him.”

Former Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis believes Glenn should be retained for another 12 months to help groom the club’s next long-term leader.

“I don’t think Alex deserves to lose the captaincy because no-one else is really jumping out of the ground to deserve it,” he said.

“But this is the year where some guys can stand up and put their hand up to captain the club.”