Alex Glenn stars with a hat-trick as Broncos produce come-from-behind trial victory over Titans
MARCH 02, 2019
Broncos veteran Alex Glenn submitted an irresistible case in the battle for back-row spots with a sizzling hat-trick in Brisbane’s come-from-behind 25-22 trial defeat of the Titans on Saturday night.
The back row is one of Brisbane’s most contentious positional areas this season with four top-liners — Glenn, Matt Gillett, David Fifita and Jaydn Su’A — battling for two starting berths.
But Glenn has rocketed into the frame to start against Melbourne in the NRL season-opener on Thursday week after his treble of tries helped haul the Broncos out of trouble against a plucky Titans outfit at Cbus Super Stadium.
Alex Glenn (second from L) celebrates a try with teammates. Picture: Getty
The derby rivalry added an intense edge to the final trial of the pre-season and the Broncos were reeling when a Kevin Proctor double propelled the Titans to a shock 18-0 lead after 21 minutes.
But the Broncos held their nerve, overcoming an 18-6 halftime deficit with a more committed and composed second stanza headlined by Kodi Nikorima’s halfback guile and Glenn’s hat-trick magic.
Nikorima created Glenn’s first try in the 31st minute. Glenn then pounced on a Sean O’Sullivan in the 59th minute before he and Nikorima combined again in the 64th minute to set-up a pulsating finale at 18-all.
The Broncos then finished the job 12 minutes from time, winger Jamayne Isaako making a 50-metre bust to release Richie Kennar before snapping a last-minute field goal to put the Titans to bed.
New recruit Sean O'Sullivan set up one of Glenn’s tries to trigger the comeback. Picture: Getty
It was a positive finish to a solid trial campaign under new Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, who would have been equally thrilled with the drama-free return of Matt Gillett.
Brisbane rolled out their big guns, including Darius Boyd, Corey Oates and Andrew McCullough, but it was Gillett’s successful return from a fractured neck which gave the Broncos most relief.
Seibold would have been less than impressed with his side’s first half. The Broncos had a healthy dose of possession in the early exchanges but were unable to convert pressure into points against an enthusiastic Titans defence.
Two fundamental mistakes rocked the Broncos and the Titans went for the jugular.
Jamayne Isaako looks set for another big season with the Broncos. Picture: Getty
In the 14th minute, young gun David Fifita was left shell-shocked when he grassed a regulation pass and watched in disbelief as rival back-rower Proctor toed through to score for 12-0.
And when Broncos skipper Boyd inexplicably spilt an Ash Taylor grubber in the 21st minute, gifting Proctor his second try, Brisbane were all at sea at 18-0.
The million-dollar question for the Broncos this year is whether they have a dominant halfback to break a 13-year title drought.
Gold Coast star Kevin Proctor celebrates a try. Picture: Getty
On Saturday night’s evidence, Kodi Nikorima needs to do more to emphatically silence the doubters.
The Kiwi Test utility started slowly with some misdirected passes to his outside men. But he lifted on the half-hour, setting up two tries for Glenn with sublime short balls that illustrated Nikorima’s potency when he backs himself.
After a sluggish start, the Broncos lifted after the break and struck paydirt in the Glenn-Nikorima combination.
