Wayne Bennett challenges Alex Glenn to break career plateau at Brisbane Broncos
ONCE considered a future Brisbane captain, former Kiwi Test star Alex Glenn is now fighting for his future at Red Hill.
A long-time favourite under former coach Anthony Griffin, Glenn has been delivered an immediate wake-up call by new boss Wayne Bennett with Glenn told he must step it up in 2015 as he fights for a new contract.
Bennett told Glenn his performances had plateaued in recent years and wanted to see the 26-year-old “come out of his shell” by showing more on-field leadership and impact this season.
Glenn has not played for the Kiwi side since 2013, a notable absence given the Test coach is also his current Broncos assistant Stephen Kearney.
The motivational missive from Bennett comes at a crucial time for Glenn, he is off contract this season and yet to even begin negotiations with the club.
A veteran of 142 NRL games and one of just four Broncos not to miss a first grade game last season, Glenn now finds himself in an enormous battle for a starting spot at the club after Bennett’s forward recruitment drive.
The arrival of Adam Blair, Mitch Garbett and James Gavet to Red Hill has all but ensured Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday will be excused from any front row duties in 2015.
That means Glenn is battling Queensland Origin heroes Parker, Thaiday and Matt Gillett who must squeeze into three backrow positions for the club’s NRL opener against South Sydney on March 5.
Bennett will be keeping that decision a closely guarded secret too, with Gillett expected to miss the club’s last trial match, a trip to the UK, due to off-season shoulder surgery.
Glenn was the only senior forward taken on the trip to Auckland for the Nines last weekend and knows the importance of immediately showing Bennett that he is willing to meet the challenge thrown before him.
“There is a lot of competition in my spot so this is just going to be another challenge for me and I’m definitely keen to put both hands forward,” Glenn said.
How Bennett reshapes his forward pack in 2015 remains one of the key questions hovering over Red Hill.
With young forwards like Joe Ofahengaue and Corey Oates earmarked as stars of the future, it’s important for the likes of Glenn and Thaiday to open 2015 with a bang as they both fight for new contracts.
Oates, like Gillett, had surgery in the off-season and is more likely to start the season regaining match fitness in the Intrust Super Cup.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/wayne-bennett-challenges-alex-glenn-to-break-career-plateau-at-brisbane-broncos/story-fniabm4i-1227205426007