Sam Thaiday is the best forward to play off the bench for Broncos, says Alex Glenn

ALEX Glenn has endorsed Sam Thaiday as the best forward to play off the bench for the Broncos, saying the veteran delivers an impact that few others can.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Sam Thaiday of the Broncos watches from the bench during the round two NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Brisbane Broncos at Remondis Stadium on March 13, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

ALEX Glenn has endorsed Sam Thaiday as the best forward to play off the bench for the Broncos, saying the veteran delivers an impact that few others can.

As coach Wayne Bennett prepares to announce his first line-up for the season on Tuesday, one question that remains is which of his star forwards will be relegated to the interchange.

It is understood either Thaiday or returning prop Josh McGuire will be named on the bench for Brisbane’s season-opening clash against Parramatta, with Glenn, Adam Blair, Matt Gillett and skipper Corey Parker expected to be certain starters.

And while a bench position is not something a player of Thaiday’s calibre would desire, Glenn said that his experience does give Brisbane an edge.

“Coach (Bennett) is very strategic when it comes to selecting the sides and who goes on the bench,” Glenn told The Courier-Mail.

“Putting Sammy on the bench just proves that he wants that experience there.

“When your bench is coming on, you want them to lift the boys. We’ve all been playing out there for 20-odd minutes and you start getting fatigued and going into your shell.

“Their role is to be an impact player when they get on. If Sammy was coming off the bench, he brings that experience and he knows what his job is.

Sam Thaiday during a Broncos training session.

“It’s great when you’ve got someone that’s in the middle who knows his role, who knows his structure and what we want done, and he leads by example.”

While Glenn said the team had been given no indication of which direction Bennett would go in, Thaiday did play from the bench for Brisbane in the World Club Series win over Wigan and for the opening months of last season.

However, McGuire could be the one demoted as the prop works on his match fitness as he returns from last year’s season-ending Achilles tear.

Glenn said regardless of who gets to start, taking on the Eels on Thursday would be a good audition for the Broncos forward pack.

“We’re definitely preparing for a very tough battle through the middle,” Glenn said.

“You look throughout their whole team and they’re a big side so we’ve got to make sure we’re putting our bodies in front and not letting those big boys steam through the middle.”

Originally published as Sam Thaiday is the best forward to play off the bench for Broncos, says Alex Glenn