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Have Broncos pulled right rein in re-signing Glenn
asks Mike Colman
Mike Colman,
The Courier-Mail
November 11, 2019 3:39pm
It was good to read that Alex Glenn is tied up for the next two years at the Broncos – but at what cost? Surely no-one can begrudge Glenn the contract extension that should see the 31-year-old finish his career as a one-club player. He is, after all, a lovely fellow who has given his all for Brisbane in 259 games. Totally professional, a tireless worker who has never attracted even a hint of scandal in his 11 seasons at Red Hill, he will almost certainly become just the fourth Bronco to play 300 games for the club.
Alex Glenn will become a one-club player. Picture: Darren England
But is he really what the Broncos need most going into 2020 and beyond? Just a few months ago the word around town was that Glenn’s contract wouldn’t be renewed, with the Panthers said to be sniffing around. It was only the recent retirement of Matt Gillett and the subsequent freeing up of much-needed funds under the Broncos’ tightly-stretched salary cap that enabled coach Anthony Seibold to hold onto him. There has been much crowing at Red Hill about the fact that Glenn would be staying put, with Broncos CEO Paul White calling him “a really important part of the puzzle.”
The retirement of Matt Gillett opened up cap space for Gillett. Picture: Dan Peled
No doubt, but with the greatest respect to Glenn, the question must be asked: could that same money have been better spent on an even more important part of the puzzle? That part, of course, being a playmaker. Last week it was reported that negotiations to sign Brodie Croft had broken down because the club could not afford both Glenn and the out-of-favour Melbourne halfback. As Seibold put it, “As it stands, we don’t have a spot in our squad to fill. Matt Gillett’s retirement allows us to try and retain Alex.”
Brodie Croft looked a better fit for the squad than Glenn. Picture: Scott Barbour
Now obviously minds far more qualified that mine are employed to put together the Broncos roster, but even so it seems a strange decision to take a timely financial windfall and use it to re-sign a 31-year-old backrower and not a 22 year-old number seven. Especially when the Broncos are reputed to have one of the best young forward packs in the game and arguably the worst scrumbase combination.
Glenn has long been the backbone of the Broncos. Picture: Darren England
Much has been made of Glenn’s leadership qualities and how he will be able to mentor the likes of boom youngsters Payne Haas, David Fifita, Matt Lodge, Patrick Carrigan and Thomas Flegler. To which Broncos fans could be forgiven for asking, “How much mentoring do these blokes need?” Haas and Fifita have played Origin and Test football, Lodge has played 59 first grade games and been floated as a possible Broncos captain next season, and Carrigan and Flegler both have a full season’s experience behind them.
David Fifita and Payne Haas both have rep experience. Picture: Adam Head
Isn’t it time they stood on their own feet, especially since the generous salaries some of them are receiving is a big part of the reason the club can’t fit both Glenn and Croft under the cap? And if they do need their hands held from time to time the likes of Darius Boyd, Andrew McCullough and Corey Oates have been around for a while. It’s not as if the Broncos are short of experience, or even decent forwards. What they are lacking is someone who can guide them around the field.
Category: | The Courier Mail
Apart from Glenn that list is vomit-worthy. Cannot actually believe they are the only ones over 27. We really are relying on our young guns.
Hopefully they complete that transition before March. I'd love nothing more than to see Boyd and Macca start the year in Q Cup.
